Chester wins at Sparta 56-52 and at Fairfield 48-44; Evan Dunning leads the way in scoring with two double-digit games
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Boys Junior Varsity squad had a great Week 12 of the 2023-24 season with back-to-back wins. Both were on the road and in close, well-played games.
Chester’s Evan Dunning (15) a junior, led the JV YellowJackets to two wins in Week 12. In those two games, the JV beat Sparta, 56-52 and Fairfield, 48-44. For the two road games, Dunning scored 37 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, recorded 3 steals, made 11 deflections, had 3 loose ball recoveries, and blocked 2 shots. Jim Beers Photo
The YellowJackets traveled to Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division foes Sparta on Friday February 9 to take on the JV Bulldogs and won a thriller, 56-52. The next night they made the long trip to Fairfield, Illinois to battle former Black Diamond rivals, the Fairfield Mules and brought home a second win, 48-44.
Chester 56-Sparta 52
Sparta led, 19-28 after the first quarter and 29-28 at halftime. The first quarter Tray Peters, Evan Dunning, and Tallen James showered the Bulldogs with 3-pointers and Trey McCartney added a 2-pointer for Chester’s 11-point first frame.
The Bulldogs were paced by Shelton (7) and Littlepage (6) who combined for 13 of Sparta’s 19 points. Wesbecher added a pair of field goals and Allard hit two free throws as the Dawgs led, 19-11 after one quarter of play.
The second quarter was a reversal as the YellowJackets outscored the Bulldogs, 17-10. Evan Dunning carried the load that period with two treys and a 2-pointer for eight of Chester’s 17 points. Trey McCartney added a three ball, TaShawn Palacio added two field goals and Gabe Coffman knocked down a shot to combine for Chester’s 17-point second quarter.
The Bulldogs featured a one-man show in the second frame as Littlepage scored all 10 points on a pair of 3-pointers and a pair of 2-pointers. The YellowJackets cut Sparta’s eight point first quarter lead to just one point, 29-28, at the half.
After halftime the competition got close and very aggressive as both teams were battling for dominance. Sparta outscored Chester, 11-10, behind the efforts of Littlepage who hit a 3-pointer and 2-of-4 free throws for seven points. Allard drained a 3-pointer and Wesbecher popped a 2-pointer. Shelton hit 1 of 2 free throws to round out the 11 point effort.
The Jackets were led by Evan Dunning and Gabe Coffman who knocked down a pair of 2-pointers apiece. Zane Eggemeyer finished the 10-point quarter with a 2-pointer of his own Chester trailed by two points, 40-38, after three quarters of competition.
The fourth quarter proved to be pivotal in the outcome of the game as the YellowJackets outscored the Bulldogs, 18-12. In that offensive challenge Evan Dunning knocked down his fourth and fifth 3-pointers of the night and added a 2-pointer for good measure for a total of eight points.
Tallen James hit a basket and sank 3-of-4 free throws for five points. Trey Peters connected for a 3-pointer and TaShawn Palacio made both of his free throw attempts to round out the 18-point effort.
Once again the Bulldogs had one key scorer. This time Allard stepped up and scored 10 of Sparta’s 12 points on two 3-pointers, one 2-pointer and 2-of-2 free throws. Wesbecher chipped in a basket to complete the 12-point period. At the buzzer, Chester had taken a 4-point, 56-52 lead for the win.
In the victory Chester was led by Evan Dunning who scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double. He also recorded 3 assists, 2 steals, 7 deflections, 1 loose ball and 2 blocked shots.
Tallen James added 8 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist. Tray Peters had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists. TaShawn Palacio contributed 6 points, 8 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals and 4 deflections. Gabe Coffman scored 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 deflection. Trey McCartney added 5 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals. Finally, Zane Eggemeyer had 2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 deflection.
Chester 48-Fairfield 44
At Fairfield. The Mules led the entire first three quarters, 15-8 after one period, 28-14 at the half, and 34-25 after three quarters. The YellowJackets made an exciting, hard-fought, and thrilling 23-10 run to end the game and take the win, 48-44.
TaShawn Palacio was Chester’s only offensive producer in the opening frame as he scored 8 points on three field goals and 2-for-2 free throw shooting.
The Mules called on four players to earn their 15-point first quarter scoring as Maners (9), Milner (3), Robson (2) and Puckett (1) chipped in together. Fairfield led, 15-8 after one quarter of play.
Each team scored two-points less in the second period than they did in the first quarter as Fairfield added 13 points and Chester could only muster up six points.
Gabe Coffman made a pair of baskets and Tray Peters threw in one shot for Chester’s six points. The Mules got points from Maners (7), and Roberson (6). Fairfield extended its lead to 14 points, 28-14, by halftime.
The YellowJackets came alive in the second half. In the third quarter CHS outscored FHS 11-6. Tallen James knocked down two 3-pointers and Zane Eggemeyer and Gabe Coffman each hit a 2-pointer apiece. Evan Dunning made 1-of-2 free throws to round out the YellowJackets’ 11 point outing.
The Jacket defense held Fairfield to just six points. Miller put in a pair field goals and Maners added a bucket. Chester narrowed the gap between them and the Mules to nine points after three quarters of competition. FHS led, 34-25.
The fourth quarter was instrumental in Chester’s victory as the Jackets outscored the Mules, 23-10, to overtake Fairfield and claim the win.
In that most decisive quarter, Evan Dunning drained four 3-pointers and sank 1-of-2 free throws for 13 of Chester’s 23 points. Gabe Coffman scored two points and Zane Eggemeyer and TaShawn Palacio each hit two free throws apiece.
Fairfield’s 10 points came from Maners who hit three 2-pointers and a free throw, Grieve who hit a bucket, and Miller who sank 1-of-2 free throws. As the final buzzer sounded, the YellowJackets had secured the win, 58-54.
In the win, Chester’s Evan Dunning was the Jacket’s top scorer with 14 points, and he grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out 4 assists, recorded 4 deflections, 2 loose balls, and 1 steal. TaShawn Palacio scored 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 deflection, and 1 loose ball recovery. Tallen James and Gabe Coffman each scored eight points apiece. Zane Eggemeyer scored 4 points and Tray Peters scored two points.
Fairfield was led by Maners who scored 25 points. He was followed by Roberson (6), Miller (5), Milner (3), Grieve (2), McElrary (2), and Pucket (1).