62nd Annual event features 8 local teams, January 12-13th at CHS Colbert Gymnasium
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The 62nd Chester High School CIT (Chester Invitational Tournament) tipped off Monday January 12. The popular event is thought to be the longest-running high school boys’ basketball tournament south of I-70. This year’s event runs January 12-13 at Chester High School.
The 2026 CIT features Valle High School in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, Lebanon High School from Lebanon, Illinois, New Athens High School from New Athens, Illinois, Saxony Lutheran High School from Jackson, Missouri, Lovejoy High School from Lovejoy, Illinois, Chester High School from Chester, Illinois, and Valmeyer High School from Valmeyer, Illinois.
Round 1 games will be played Monday January 12 (Games 1 & 2) and Tuesday January 13 (Games 3 & 4). Round 2 games will be played Wednesday January 14 (Games 5 & 6), and Thursday January 15 (Games 7th & 8th). There are NO games FRIDAY JANUARY 16. Championship Day is Saturday January 17 and features four games, 7th Place Game, Consolation Championship Game, 3rd Place Game, and the Championship Game.
Day 1 of Round 1 is already in the books. Results for Game 1 and Game 2 are as follow:
Game 1: Valle 55-Lebanon 41
Lebanon started out the game hot and outscored Valle, 18-14 after one quarter. In the second quarter Valle turned the tables and outscored Lebanon, 19-11, to lead by four points, 33-29 at halftime.
Valle managed to maintain their momentum in the 3rd quarter and outscored Lebanon by four points, 10-6. Lebanon led by eight points, 43-35, at the end of the 3rd quarter. Down the stretch, Valle held on to their momentum ad outscored Lebanon by sis points, 12-6, to win the game by 14 points, 55-41.
In the win, Lebanon was led by three players who scored in double figures including Bertrand (18), Viox (15), and Naeger (12). Other contributors included Marbury (4), Griffard (2) and Kutz (2).
In the loss, Lebanon had two players score in double figures. Washington and Ware each scored 17 points apiece and Adams (5) and Okal (2) rounded out the offense.
With the win, Valle advanced to Round 2 on Wednesday January 14. They will play Game 6 at 7:30 p.m. New Athens. Lebanon will play Day 2 at 6:00 p.m. in Game 5 vs Perryville.
Game 2: New Athens 75-Perryville 46
New Athens led the entire Game 2 of Day 1, Monday January 12. The Yellowjackets outscored Perryville by six points in the first quarter, 17-11. In the second quarter, New Athens outscored Perryville by seven points, 19-12, to lead by 13 points, 36-23.
To start the second half, the game was still competitive with both teams able to battle for the win. The third quarter, however, turned out to be devastating for the Pirates as New Athens outscored them by 15 points, 26-11, to lead by 28 points, 62-34, after three periods. In the 4th quarter New Athens outscored Perryville by just 1 point, 13-12, but it was too late to play catch-up. The Yellowjackets won the game by 29 points, 75-46.
In the win, New Athens had a total of 10 players contribute to the offensive total number of points. Three of those 10 players scored in double figures including Steinwagner (23), Sullivan (12), and Taylor (10). Other contributors included Dachsteiner (8) Lauer (6), Sieber (5), Will Mulholland (4), Wyatt Mulholland (3), Badgett (2), and Kimbrell (2).
Perryville was led by two players who scored in double figures. Wendel scored 15 points and Paisley scored 12 points. Other contributors included Schilli (7), Rodewald (7), Cahoon (3), and Huber (2).
With the loss, Perryville will play at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday January 14 in Game 5 of Round 2 vs Lebanon. With the win, New Athens advanced to the Championship side of the bracket to face Valle in Game 6 of Round 2 on Wednesday January 14.