Fall to Wildcats, 70-58, at Anna-Jonesboro, and lose to Pinckneyville Panthers, 62-33, in home opener
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Boys Basketball Team opened the 2024-25 season with two losses in Week 1 action. The Jackets traveled to Anna-Jonesboro Tuesday November 26 to take on the Wildcats in the season opener, falling to the Cats, 70-58.
The next night, Tuesday November 27, the YellowJackets hosted the Pinckneyville Panthers in the home opener for 2024-25. The Jackets lost to Pinckneyville, 62-33, to start the season, 0-2.
Anna-Jonesboro 70-Chester 58
CHS led AJ 22-19 in the first quarter under the dead-eye shooting of senior, Cayden Brunkhorst who drained three 3-pointers and a 2 pointer. Devante Palacio added a three ball and a duce, and Kolton Jany and Brenden Malley each hit baskets.
AJ’s Gore kept the Wildcats alive with his four 3-pointers. Nicholas hit a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer. Finally, McFadden sank both of his free throws.
The YellowJackets continued to sting the Wildcats in the second quarter, 16-11, to take a 38-30 lead into the locker room at halftime. In that outing Chester’s Palacio hit a three ball, a two ball and a free throw to pace CHS with six points. Malley added five points with two baskets and a free throw. Evan Dunning drained a 3-pointer and Kolton Jany hit another two-point bucket.
AJ’s Edmonds and McFadden each drained 3-pointers and one 2-pointer while needling sank 1-of-2 free throws.
The Wildcats switched gears in the second half and outscored the YellowJackets 21-13 in the 3rd quarter and 19-7 in the final period.
AJ’s McFadden got a hot hand in the 3rd quarter and scored nine points on four 2-pointers and a free throw. Nicholas hit his second 3-pointer and added another 2-pointer, topped off with a free throw. Goins drained a three, Butler added a 2-pointer and Needling hit another free throw.
Chester had five players score, but only one basket apiece. Palacio, Jany, and Trey McCartney each scored three points apiece. Malley added two points and Brunkhorst hit one basket. The score was tied, 51-51, after three quarters of play.
The 4th quarter proved to be disastrous for the Jackets as the Wildcats outscored Chester, 19-7, to break the tie and win the contest. In that quarter Anna-Jonesboro used four player’s points to win the game including Nicholas (6), Needling (6), Gore (5), and McFadden (2).
Chester went ice cold with Tray Peters hitting a 3-pointer, Brenden Malley adding three points, and Jany making 1-of-2 free throws.
In the loss. The Jackets were led by three players in double figures including Cayden Brunkhorst (15), Devante Palacio (14), and Brenden Malley (12). Other scorers were Kolton Jany (8), and Tray Peters, Evan Dunning, and Trey McCartney with three points apiece. Chester was 6-of-12 from the free throw line (50%). They made 14 two-pointers and 8 three-pointers.
Seven Cats scored in the win including McFadden (18), Nicholas (17) and Gore (17). Other contributors were Needling (8), Edmonds (5), Goins (3), and Butlers (2). AJ was 10-of-19 from the free throw line (53%). They also made 12 two-pointers and 12 three-pointers.
With the loss the YellowJackets opened the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 0-1.
Pinckneyville 62-Chester 33
The next night the YellowJackets returned home on Thanksgiving Eve to open home action. Their guests were the Pinckneyville Panthers, who mauled the Jackets 28-5 in the first quarter. Three players contributed to all but one of Pinckneyville’s 28 points including Bauersachs (12), Laur (6), and Lietz (6). Keith topped off the efforts with a free throw.
The YellowJacket’s entire five points were scored by senior Brenden Malley. The Jackets trailed, 28-5, after one quarter of play.
The second quarter was very competitive with Pinckneyville scoring just seven points, including Conway (5) and Bauersachs (2). Chester scored four points with Cayden Brunkhorst (2) and Kolton Jany (2). Pinckneyville led, 35-9 at the half.
The YellowJackets came back strong after the popcorn break and stung the Panthers to the tune of 15-13, behind the offensive efforts of Malley (6), Peters (3), and Brunkhorst, Palacio, and Jany with two points apiece.
Pinckneyville had four players contribute offensively with Keith (5), Conway (3), Lietz (3), Bauersachs (2), scoring. The Panthers led, 48-24, after three quarters of competition.
The 4th quarter was also respectable with the Panthers only outscoring the YellowJackets by five points, 14-9. In that frame, Laur led with six points. Smith added three, McConnell added three, and Conway added two points.
Chester had four players score including Peters (3), and Zane Eggemeyer, Tashawn Palacio, and Malley each scoring two points apiece. In the loss, Chester only went to the free throw line six times, making one (17%). CHS made 13 two-pointers and just two 3-pointers.
Pinckneyville made 9 two-pointers and drained 12 three-pointers. They were 8-of-11 from the line (73%). The Panthers were led offensively by Bauersachs (16), Conway (13), and Laur (12). Other contributors included Lietz (9), Keith (6), Smith (3), and McConnell (3).
In their loss, the YellowJackets were paced by Brenden Malley who scored 13 points. Six other players contributed offensively included Tray Peters (6), Cayden Brunkhorst (4), Kolton Jany (4), and Zane Eggemeyer, Devante Palacio, and brother, TaShawn Palacio with two points apiece.
If the first quarter is taken away from the scoring, Pinckneyville only outscored Chester 34-28 (6 points). The 28-5 first quarter bombardment is what really made the difference in the game. With the loss Chester fell to 0-2 to start the season in Week 1. The Jackets will start Week 2 in the 2024 DuQuoin Tournament Monday December 2 and will compete throughout the week in that event.