CHS Lady Jackets even record with 76-71 win over Steeleville in overtime

Lexi Mott sets new single-game scoring record with 38 points

BY JIM BEERS

CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Jackets evened their very early 2024-25 record at 1-1 with an overtime win over Steeleville, 76-71, Wednesday November 20. The occasion was their second game of the 2024 Sparta Lady Bulldogs Tournament.

Due to the fact that New Athens dropped out of the tournament at the last second, the tournament manager was forced to change the format to a round-robin event with Chester, Steeleville, Sparta, Red Bud and Trico competing.

Chester (0-1) and Steeleville (0-2) battled hard throughout the night. After one quarter of play, Chester led, 14-11. The Lady Warriors outscored the Lady Jackets, 12-9, in the second quarter to tie the game, 23-23 at halftime.

The 3rd quarter was a high scoring affair with the Lady Jackets outscoring the Lady Warriors 20-18 to re-take the lead, 43-41. In the 4th quarter, Steeleville outscored Chester, 21-19, to tie the game again, this time, 62-62, to send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, Chester sealed the win, outscoring Steeleville, 14-9, to win the game, 76-71. With the win, the Lady Jackets evened their tournament record and overall 2024-25 record to 1-1. The Steeleville loss gave them a record of 0-3.

In this 5-day round robin event, each team will play each of the other teams once for a total of four games. Each participating team gets one day off for rest and/or practice. There were no games Thursday November 21.

Against Steeleville, Chester was led by Lexi Mott who set a new school record for single-game scoring with 38 points. Jennifer Coleman (1996-1997) and Amber Stewart (2000-2001) held the previous single-game scoring record with 37 points each.

Rylie Conley, Chester’s only senior, followed with 16 points, one of her best career games. Five other Lady Jackets contributed scoring in the victory including Lillian Diskey (6), Jessica Stumpe (6), Marley Caby (6), Riley Lochhead (2), and Aubrey Coleman (2).

In the second half, Rylie Conley, who had not scored in the game, exploded with her 16 points, nine of which came in the 4th quarter with back-to-back-to back 3-pointers (9 points). She then followed in the overtime period, tied 62-62, to score seven points making 5-of-6 free throws and a field goal.

Also in the overtime period, Lexi Mott answered with five points, including 3-of-4 free throw shooting and a field goal. To round off the 14-point OT scoring, Lillian Diskey made 1-of-2 free throws as did Marley Caby.

As a team, the Jackets shot 36.9%. Steeleville shot 32.4%. CHS was 17-of-35 from 2-point range (48.6%. SHS was 16-of-46 (34.8%). From behind the arc the Lady Jackets connected on 7-of 30 attempts (23.3%). The Lady Warriors connected on 7-of-25 3-point attempts (28%). At the free throw line Chester made 21-of-41 free throws (51.2%). Steeleville made 20-of-29 free shots (69%).

The Jackets had 15 transition points, vs six for S’Ville. CHS scored 28 points off of turnovers. The Warriors scored 15 points off of Chester turnovers. The Lady Jackets only scored four second chance points, while Steeleville scored 16 second chance points. CHS had 28 points in the paint. SHS had 26 points in the paint.

In the rebounding game the Lady Jackets grabbed a total of 41 rebounds, 15 offensive and 26 defensive. Steeleville grabbed 56 rebounds, 25 offensive and 31 defensive. The Lady Warriors won the battle on the boards.

CHS dished out 21 assists while SHS recorded 15 assists. Chester played stingy defense at times with 25 deflections. SHS had just 12. Chester recorded 14 steals. SHS had 15. The only block in the game came from Chester.

On the negative side, Chester committed 21 turnovers, but Steeleville committed 28. The Lady Jackets committed 24 fouls while Steeleville committed 31 fouls. Each team took one charge apiece.

As a team, the Jackets shot 36.9%. Steeleville shot 32.4%. CHS was 17-of-35 from 2-point range (48.6%. SHS was 16-of-46 (34.8%). From behind the arc the Lady Jackets connected on 7-of 30 attempts (23.3%). The Lady Warriors connected on 7-of-25 3-point attempts (28%). At the free throw line Chester made 21-of-41 free throws (51.2%). Steeleville made 20-of-29 free shots (69%).

The Jackets had 15 transition points, vs six for S’Ville. CHS scored 28 points off of turnovers. The Warriors scored 15 points off of Chester turnovers.

In the photo: Chester High School senior Lexi Mott (33) set a new school record for single game scoring Wednesday November 20 when the Lady Jacket Basketball Team defeated the Steeleville Lady Warriors in overtime, 76-71. It was the second game of the 2024-25 Sparta Lady Bulldog Tournament when Lexi scored 38 points to catapult her team to a win to even the team and season record to 1-1. The previous single-game scoring record was set back in the 1996-1997 season when Jennifer Coleman scored 37 points in a single game. In the 2000-2001 season Amber Stewart tied that record by scoring 37 points in a single game. That record stood for 27 years until Lexi Mott broke the record by one point with 38 points scored against Steeleville. Jim Beers Photo