Fall to Red Bud, 50-40, and Carlyle, 74-27, in Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division play
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Jacket Basketball Team has had a tough start to the New Year! The Lady Jackets did well at the Saxony Lutheran Tournament December 16-20, 2024, and had one game at Massac County January 2 to kick off the second half of the 2024-2025 season.
Chester Lady Jacket Jessica Stumpe, a junior, was Chester’s leading scorer in Week 8. Stumpe scored 11 points against Red Bud Monday January 13 and 10 points against Carlyle Thursday January 16 to pace the Jackets offensively. Jim Beers Photo
Then the bottom fell out when the Winter Storm of 2025 struck and the Lady Jackets were not able to play or practice for more than a week. Add to that the Christmas break and the fact that the entire 18th Annual Lady Jackets Mid-Winter Classic Basketball Tournament had to be cancelled due to extreme cold, sleet, ice and snow. That event was scheduled to take place January 6-11, 2025.
The girls finally got to hit the court again Monday January 13 at Red Bud for a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division match up. Having not touched a ball for almost two weeks, the Lady Jackets were more than rusty, but stood firm against the Lady Musketeers on the Musketeers’ home court. Chester lost, 50-40, but were in the game right up until the 4th quarter.
Three days later the Jackets hit the road again, this time to State Ranked No. 5 Carlyle to challenge the Lady Indians. Needless to say, Chester had a difficult time staying up with very talented Indians, falling, 74-27.
With the losses, the Lady Jackets returned home with an overall record of 6-and-12, and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 1-5 in Week 8.
Monday January 13: Red Bud 50-Chester 40
The Lady Jackets traveled to North Randolph County at Red Bud to kick off Week 8. The Jackets battled their Lady Musketeer rivals with little-to-no preparation due to the long Christmas break and the week of sleet, rain, ice, and snow.
A tough, 15-5 start got the girls from Chester off on the wrong foot. In that frame, Lillian Diskey hit a bucket and freshman Marley Caby knocked down a three-pointer. THAT WAS IT! Red Bud had offensive production from seven different players, led by A. Wagner who drained four free throws.
The second quarter was much better as Lexi Mott came alive and made a short jumper and a free throw, Rylie Conley made a basket and Lillian Diskey connected on the front end of a two-shot free throw opportunity.
The Musketeers were held to just eight points, led by A. Wagner who scored four points on a trey and a free throw. At halftime, Red Bud led by 12 points, 23-11.
Chester came alive after the halftime break and outscored the Lady Musketeers, 14-7. Senior Rylie Conley knocked down three field goals and a free throw to pace CHS. Lexi Mott contributed four points and Jessica Stumpe added three. The only Musketeer to score was T. Carter who had all seven of Red Bud’s points. Chester pulled within five points after three quarters of play, 30-25.
To open the final period, the Jackets tied the game, 30-30, early, but could not hold on put the Lady Musketeers away. In the final analysis Red Bud outscored Chester, 20-15, to win the game, 50-40.
Down the stretch, Jessica Stumpe led the Jackets with eight points on a pair of three-pointers and a two-point basket. Rylie Conley added three points and Aubrey Coleman and Lexi Mott each contributed two points apiece.
Red Bud’s A. Wagner led with seven points and J. Friess made a pair of jumpers. Minemann made a field goal and 2-of-4 free throws and E. Carter was 3-of-4 from the free throw line. T. Carter rounded out the scoring with a basket.
In the hard-fought loss, Chester was led by two players who scored in double figures. Rylie Conley had 12 points and Jessica Stumpe recorded 11 points. Lexi Mott added nine points and Marley Caby and Lillian Diskey each contributed three points apiece. Aubrey Coleman rounded out the offense with two points.
Chester was just 9-of-22 from the free throw line (40%). The Jackets recorded three 3-pointers and 12 two-point field goals. With the loss, the Lady Jackets fell to 6-11 overall and 1-4 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division.
Red Bud was also led by two players in double figures, A. Wagner (15) and T. Carter (11). Five other players contributed to the victory including Minemann (8), Friess (8), E. Carter (5), Whelan (2), and Rothlisberger (1). The Musketeers were 11-of-18 from the line (61%). They made 15 two-pointers and 3 three-pointers.
Thursday January 16: Carlyle 74 – Chester 27
Going into this game the Jackets knew that Carlyle, ranked No. 5 in the State, was going to be a challenge. The first time that the Lady Jackets faced Carlyle on December 8 at home, the Lady Indians won, 75-39.
That fact became quite apparent once again January 16 when the Indians opened the game on the road, with a 30-6 first quarter lead. In that frame Jessica Stumpe scored four points and Lexi Mott made one basket.
Six players did the 30-point damage for Carlyle including Persing (9), Hoffman (6), Harris (5), Gansauer (4), Schmeink (4), and Rolfingsmeyer (2).
The second quarter was not quite as bad as the Indians only outscored the Jackets, 13-10. Stumpe scored four points for Chester and Mott added another two points, this time on two free throws. Lillian Diskey got into the scorebook with a basket and Rylie Conley knocked down a shot for two.
Carlyle was paced by Schmeink this quarter with her five points, and Johnson and Gansauer each drained treys. Persing rounded out the offense with a field goal. The Indians led by 27 points, 43-16, at the half.
The second half wasn’t much better for the Jackets. The Indians outscored the Lady Jackets, 19-7 in the third quarter. Lexi Mott scored four points and Aubrey Coleman connected for a three-pointer for Chester’s seven points.
Carlyle was led by Hoffman again, this time with seven points. Persing added six points and Johnson and Harris each made baskets. Gansauer and Schmeink each made 1-of-2 free throws. The Indians led by 39 points after three quarters of play, 62-23.
Chester was only able to add four points in the fourth quarter on baskets by Jessica Stumpe and Lexi Mott.
Carlyle’s Hoffman and Harris each drained three-pointers, and Johnson, Brammeier, and Allison each scored a basket apiece. In the final frame, the Indians outscored Chester, 12-4, to win by 47 points, 74-27.
In the loss the Lady Jackets’ top scorers were Jessica Stumpe and Lexi Mott with each scoring ten points apiece. Aubrey Coleman made a three pointer and Rylie Conley and Lillian Diskey each made one field goal apiece. The Jackets were 2-of-6 at the free throw line (33%). CHS made 11 two-pointers and 1 three-pointers.
With the loss, Chester ended Week 8 with dual losses and an overall record of 6-12 and a Cahokia Conference record of 1-5.
Carlyle was paced offensively by four players that scored in double figures, led by Persing (17), Hoffman (16), Harris (10) and Schmeink (10). Five other players also contributed to their 74-point total including Gansauer (8), Johnson (7), and Rolfingsmeyer, Brammeier, and Allison with two points apiece. The Indians made 6-of-11 free throws (50%). The Indians made 19 two-pointers and 10 three-pointers.