Jackets travel to Anna-Jonesboro Tuesday November 26; Home opener is Wednesday November 27
BY JIM BEERS
CHESTER – The 2024-2025 Chester High School Boys Basketball season is underway and the YellowJackets are anxious to hit the court for the start of “official” competition. The boys won’t have to wait long before they meet other teams in battle, however, because their schedule gets “real” next Tuesday November 26.
The Jackets open their season at former River-To-River, Mississippi Division foe, the Anna Jonesboro Wildcats. The next night on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday November 27, Chester will host another former River-to-River opponent, the Pinckneyville Panthers, at Colbert Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court.
This year the Jackets will host eight home games and travel to 11 away games. In addition they will compete in the DuQuoin Tournament Monday December 2nd through Saturday December 7th and at the Annual Duster Thomas Hoops Classic Tournament in Pinckneyville December 27th through Monday December 30th.
The Annual Chester Invitational Tournament (CIT) takes place at Chester High School’s Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court Monday January 13th till Saturday January 18th. That will offer Jacket fans another opportunity to see the Jackets in action three more times.
The 2024-2025 YellowJacket Basketball program consists of 20 boys, 12 that dress Varsity and 13 that dress Junior Varsity. Five JV players dress for both varsity and junior varsity.
Varsity players include Zane Eggemeyer, Cayden Brunkhorst, Tray Peters, Devante Palacio, Tallen James, Jack Heffernan, Kolton Jany, Evan Dunning, Tashawn Palacio, Gabe Coffman, Trey McCartney, and Brenden Malley. Head Coach is Chris Toledo. He is assisted by Nick Severs, Tony James, and Bryce Bainter.
Junior Varsity players include Zane Eggemeyer, Elijah McBurney, Trevin Eggemeyer, Tallen James, Kross Jany, Jaden Ramirez, Tashawn Palacio, Karim Landeros, Gabe Coffman, Mitch Liter, Trey McCartney, Kanon Jany, and Danny Worley. Head Coach is Tony James. He is assisted by Nick Severs and Bryce Bainter.
Last Year Chester finished the 2023-24 season with an overall record of 13-18 and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 3-7.
Coach Chris Toledo said regarding this year’s squad, “Many of this year’s team played on the very successful CHS football team, so we know they are a competitive bunch of kids. They always want to win. We do play a tough schedule, but our guys have high expectations for this season. We have a lot of kids returning with a lot of experience. These boys will compete!”
This year’s YellowJacket Basketball Team has four returning starters including Cayden Brunkhorst, Kolton Jany, Brenden Malley, and Devante. All will likely start for the 2024-25 squad. Evan Dunning and Tray Peters will split starting duties as the 5th starters.
Last season Brenden Malley led the team in shooting percentage making 69 of 125 shots (55.2%). Kolton Jany was 2nd making 122 of 252 shots (50%). Devante Palacio was 3rd with 141 of 287 shots (49.7%), and Cayden Brunkhorst finished 4th having made 65 of 165 shots (42.4%).
At the free throw line, Devante Palacio led the Jackets, making 41 of 69 free shots (59.4%), followed by Cayden Brunkhorst (31 of 54, 57.4%); Brenden Malley (36 of 66, 54.5%); and Kolton Jany (37 of 89, 41.6%).
Brenden Malley also led in rebounding grabbing 72 offensive and 139 defensive boards (211), followed by Devante Palacio (32 offensive, 127 defensive, total 159); Kolton Jany (58 offensive, 95 defensive, total 153); and Cayden Brunkhorst (31 offensive, 51 defensive, total 82).
Coach Toledo said, “Senior, Jack Heffernan and junior Gabe Coffman will also see a lot of playing time this year. So far during practice I have also been impressed with sophomores Zane Eggemeyer, Tallen James, Tashawn Palacio, and Trey McCartney. They could also see some varsity playing time.”
Regarding the YellowJacket’s outlook for success in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division race, Toledo said, “Conference will once again be tough, top-to-bottom. You have to be ready to play every night in this conference or you will get beat!”
The 2024-2025 Chester High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team includes (left to right) Zane Eggemeyer (0), Kolton Jany (13), Tashawn Palacio (21), Tray Peters (4), Devante Palacio (5), Brenden Malley (34), Evan Dunning (15), Gabe Coffman (23), Trey McCartney (32), Tallen James (10), Jack Heffernan (11), and Cayden Brunkhorst (1). The Varsity nis coached by Head Coach, Chris Toledo. He is assisted by Nick Severs, Tony James, and Bryce Bainter. Jim Beers Photo
The 2024-2025 Chester High School Boys Basketball Junior Varsity Team includes (Front row, sitting) Trevin Eggemeyer (3), Kross Jany (12), Karim Landeros (22), Mitchell Liter (24), Jaden Ramirez (14), and Kanon Jany (33). Row 2, standing, left to right) Zane Eggemeyer (0), Tallen James (10), Tashawn Palacio (21), Trey McCartney (32), Gabe Coffman (23), Danny Worley (44), and Elijah McBurney (2). THe Junior Varsity is coached by Head Coach, Tony James. He is assisted by Nick Severs and Bryce Bainter. Jim Beers Photo