Freshmen fight hard but fall short, 48-46; JV battles to the end, but drops close one, 44-39; Varsity hits brick wall with 70-44 loss to Warriors
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Boys’ Basketball program closed its 2023-2024 regular season at home Tuesday February 13 with a threesome of games against the Wesclin Warriors.
It was “Senior Night” at CHS as the Freshmen, Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball Teams were featured in a night of fun and competition at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court.
The Freshman Team played the opener of the three-game series. The game tipped off at 5:00 p.m. coached by Head Coach Matt Korando and Assistant Coach Chett Andrews.
The freshmen team featured Zane Eggemeyer, Kanon Jany, Alex Blechle, Victor Fuentes, Kross Jany, Tallen James, Karim Landeros, Cameron Albaugh, TaShawn Palacio, Trevin Eggemeyer, Elijah Lefler, Tray McCartney, Jackie Bess, Logan Brace, and Lennon Hobbs.
The Freshmen played four, 6-minute quarters and fought hard and very competitively throughout the game. With just seconds remaining in the game, Chester and Wesclin were tied 46-46.
As time was running out, the freshman Warriors scored to take a 48-46 lead with 1.7 seconds left. The Chester boys threw a full-court pass to attempt a desperation save, but the pass was too high to catch and time ran out. The boys played with confidence and determination and had nothing to be ashamed of with the loss.
The Junior Varsity game was equally hard-fought and well played with both teams battling hard and playing with heart and grit. Neither team had full control of the game as each had highs-and-lows with a score that was conducive to realistic recovery.
Late in the 4th Quarter Wesclin edged the Jackets and managed to have a 5-point, 44-39, advantage at the buzzer. Much recognition and congratulations to the JV boys that played with determination and good sportsmanship.
The JV YellowJackets included Zane Eggemeyer, Alex Blechle, Tallen James, Jack Heffernan, Evan Dunning, TaShawn Palacio, Derrius Shoemate, Gabe Coffman, Trey McCartney, Karim Landeros, and Tray Peters. The Junior Varsity was coached by Head Coach, Tony James and Assistant Coach, Nick Severs.
At the conclusion of the JV game and prior to the start of varsity warm-ups, CHS senior cheerleaders and basketball players were recognized at the “2024 Winter Athlete Senior Night” ceremony.
Six Senior Cheerleaders being honored included Bethany Baughman, Lexi Eggemeyer, Dyson Helmers, Liberty McCormick, Ellen McCormick, and Jazzi Merideth. Three Senior Basketball players recognized included Korbin Jany, Shea Menefee, and Lucas Thompson.
The Varsity YellowJackets include Cayden Brunkhorst, Tray Peters, Devante Palacio, Korbin Jany, Kolton Jany, Shea Menefee, Brenden Malley, Lucas Thompson, Gabe Coffman, Evan Dunning, TaShawn Palacio and Jack Heffernan. The Varsity is coached by Chris Toledo. He is assisted by Tony James and Nick Severs.
The Varsity game tipped-off at 7:30 p.m. The game was fast and furious throughout the entire contest. It was also a very aggressively played game with lots of physicality and ups-and-downs.
The first quarter had Wesclin leading 21-11 after the opening 8:00. Chester’s Devante Palacio paced the Jackets with five points on two field goals and a free throw. Cayden Brunkhorst and Korbin Jany added 2-pointers and Kolton Jany went to the free throw line for 2-of-2 free throw shooting.
Wesclin’s Gavin Rahm led the Warriors with a pair of 3-pointers, a 2-pointer and a free throw for nine points. Harrison Rakers knocked down a 3-pointer and a free throw and Chandler Mueller drained a 4th 3 ball. Seth Macke, 6’6” senior center, made a shot down low and sank 2-of-4 free throws. Combined, Wesclin scored 21 points.
The first quarter sent five players, two from Chester and three from Wesclin, to the free throw line for ten free shots, seven for Wesclin and three for Chester. The Warriors led by 10 points, 21-11, after one quarter of battle.
Lucas Thompson (40) a Chester High School senior, played the final regular-season game of his high school career Tuesday February 13 when the YellowJackets hosted the Wesclin Warriors. In the game, Thompson scored 2 points, grabbed 1 rebound, dished out 1 assist, and recorded 1 deflection. He is the son of Keith and Christal Thompson. Jim Beers Photo
The second quarter was equally tense and physical with Wesclin outscoring Chester, 15-8. Cayden Brunkhorst paced the YellowJackets with seven points on a pair of field goals and 3-of-4 free throws. Kolton Jany made 1-of-4 free throws. Combined, the two players scored eight points.
Wesclin’s Seth Macke came alive in the second quarter and led the Warriors with a pair of 2-pointers and 2-of-4 free throws. Chandler Mueller made his second 3-pointer of the game in addition to a 2-pointer and 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Together the two scored 13-of-Wesclin’s 15 points. Gavin Rahm hit a 2-pointer for the other two points.
The second period featured more players going to the free throw line. Chester sent two players to the line for eight free shots and Wesclin sent two players to the line for six free throws. All together there were four players shooting 14 free shots. Wesclin led by 17 points, 36-19, at the half.
During the halftime break, Senior Dance Team and Pep Band members were recognized and honored. There were four Senior Dance Team members recognized including Josalynn Anaya, Amanda Kennon, Kaylie Springston, and Grace Welborn.
Senior Pep Band members included Josalynn Anaya, Bethany Baughman, Joel Buskohl, Joshua Casteel, Gavin Cowan, Chase Gilbert, Garret Hopkins, Haley Hoskin, Jessica Ixcoy Sica, Hannah Kaempfe, Rylie McDonough, Aden McFarland, Chloe Miller, Ash Pfeiffer, Isaiah Roth, David Sullivan, Kaci Trost, and Mason Werner.
Shea Menefee (14) a Chester High School senior played the final regular-season game of his high school career Tuesday February 13 at CHS Colbert Gym. Menefee is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Heath and Cindy Menefee and Mother Tessa Menefee. Jim Beers Photo
After the break, both teams came back and played to a 17-17 tie in the third quarter. The Jackets had scoring from five players including, Brenden Malley (7), Korbin Jany (3), Cayden Brunkhorst (2), Devante Palacio (3), and Kolton Jany (2).
The Warriors rained down five 3-pointers in that period including Harrison Rakers (2), Chandler Mueller (2), and Gavin Rahm (1). Together those three players scored 15 of Wesclin’s 17 points. Seth Macke scored the Warrior’s other two points. After three quarters of play Wesclin extended their lead to 17 points, 53-36.
The Warriors continued to roll throughout the 4th Quarter outscoring the YellowJackets, 17-8 to close out the game. They hit three more 3-pointers for nine points and another four 2-pointers for eight points.
Rahm hit a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer for five points. Freshman Jeremiah Zurliene came into the game late and drained a three ball. Chandler Mueller hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game, and Luke Tasker, Harrison Rakers, and Zander Kapp each hit 2-pointers in the final scoring spree of the game.
Chester High School senior Korbin Jany (12) played his final regular-season game in Colbert Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court Tuesday February 13. It was “Senior Night” and the YellowJackets hosted the Warriors from Wesclin. In the game, Jany scored 7 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 1 assist, and recorded 1 deflection. He is the son of Matthew and Kasi Jany. Jim Beers Photo
The Jackets eight points came from Korbin Jany, Kolton Jany, and Brenden Malley who each hit 2-pointers and Lucas Thompson who sank 2-of-2 free throws.
In the loss, The YellowJackets were led in scoring by Cayden Brunkhorst who recorded 11 points. He also had 2 rebounds, and a steal. Brenden Malley scored nine points and led the team in rebounding with 8 boards. He added 1 deflection.
Devante Palacio scored eight points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 1 assist, and grabbed 1 loose ball recovery. Korbin Jany scored 7 points, grabbed 1 rebound and had 2 deflections. Kolton Jany scored 7 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and had 1 deflections. Lucas Thompson scored 2 points, grabbed 1 rebound, dished out 1 assist, and recorded 1 deflection.
The Jackets were 11-of-19 from the free throw line (58%), they hit 15 two-pointers and only mustered up 1 three-pointer.
Wesclin was led by four players who scored in double figures including Gavin Rahm (19), Chandler Mueller (19) Harrison Rakers (13), and Seth Macke (12). Jeremiah Zurliene (3), and Luke Tasker (2), rounded out the Warrior’s 70-point performance.
Wesclin was 9-of-14 from the free throw line (64%). They made 13 two-pointers and 11 three-pointers.
With the loss, Chester ended its 2023-2024 regular season with an overall record of 13 wins and 17 losses.
The Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record finalized at 3 wins and 7 losses, in 5th Place.
The YellowJackets will begin post-season play Monday February 19 at the 2024 IHSA Class 2A Columbia Regional Tournament. Chester will play Belleville Althoff at 6:00 P.M.