Rylie Conley paces Jackets with 18-point game
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Jacket Basketball Team defeated the Sparta Lady Bulldogs, 52-44, Friday night to improve to 2-1 in the 2024 Lady Bulldog Round Robin Tournament. Chester’s lone senior, Rylie Conley paced the Jackets with an 18-point game.
It was Chester’s third game of the 4-game event and the win improved the Lady Jacket’s record to 2-1 in the tournament and for the very early 2024-25 season.
The Ladies lost Game 1 in a very close race Monday November 18 to Red Bud, 36-31, to start the tournament. Wednesday November 20 Chester beat Steeleville, 76-71, to even the record to 1-1. The 52-44 win over the host Sparta Lady Bulldogs Friday November 22 improved Chester’s record to 2-1. The tournament concludes Saturday November 23 when the Jackets face the Trico Lady Pioneers.
After the first quarter Chester led, 9-5, behind the scoring of Lexi Mott (8) and Jessica Stumpe (2). Both are juniors. The Lady Jackets kept up the pressure in the second frame outscoring the Lady Bulldogs, 14-12, to lead 23-17 at halftime.
During that run the Jackets got scoring from four different players led by senior, Rylie Conley who hit three buckets, one a 3-pointer and a pair of deuces for seven points. Jessica Stumpe drained a 3-pointer, and Lillian Diskey and Aubrie Coleman each got 2-pointers.
After the break, CHS roared back to outscore Sparta, 16-13, in the third quarter. During this run, Rylie Conley duplicated her second quarter performance by making a 3-pointer and two 2-pointers for another seven points. Jessica Stumpe hit a pair of 2-pointers for four points, Aubrey Coleman added two points, Marley Caby hit a bucket for two points and Lexi Mott connected on 1-of-2 free throws for Chester’s 16th point. Chester led, 39-30, after three quarters of battle.
Down the stretch, the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady YellowJacket by one point, 14-13. K. Pierce led that charge with seven points on a 3-pointer and pair 2-pointers. Si Starr followed with a pair of baskets, A. Hernandez added two points on a field goal, and S. Richardson sank 1-of-2 free throws.
The Jackets were paced by three players who each added four points including Rylie Conley, Jessica Stumpe, and Lexi Mott. Aubrey Coleman added one point making 1-of-2 free throws. At the final buzzer, Chester led, 52-44, to win the game.
In the Chester win, it was a true team effort with six players contributing offensively. Senior Rylie Conley remained hot after her Wednesday night contribution of 16 points against Steeleville, with a contribution of 18 points against Sparta.
Jessica Stumpe added 13 points and Lexi Mott scored 12 points. Three YellowJackets had double-figure games in the win. Other offensive contributors included Aubrey Coleman (5), Lillian Diskey (2), and Marley Caby (2).
Sparta was led by K. Pierce who had 18 points. She was followed by six other Lady Bulldogs including Si Starr (11), M. Schulein (7), S. Richardson (3), A. Hernandez (2), A. Tadlock (2), and R. Pillers (1).
With the win, The Lady Jackets improved to 2-1 in the tournament. Sparta also sits at 2-1 going into the final day of competition Saturday November 23. Chester (2-1) will face Trico (1-2) at 12:30 p.m. to conclude the tournament. Sparta (2-1) will face Red Bud (3-0) at 11:00 a.m.
Chester Head Coach, Jeff Mott, said, “Rylie Conley had a great night as did Jessica Stumpe. Lexi Mott realized that Sparta was double-teaming her and asked if she could move to the outside to take pressure away from the basket. That allowed Rylie to take on a much smaller guard in the post!”
“I can’t say enough about how unselfish this team is! They will give up their points to get a win. That’s a winning recipe!”
Chester High School Lady Jacket, Rylie Conley (4) has had a great week at the Sparta Lady Bulldog Round-Robin Tournament. She started a bit rough Monday November 18 against Red Bud only scoring two points in the 36-31 loss to the Lady Musketeers but roared back Wednesday November 20 in the 76-71 win over Steeleville with a 16-point game. She then led the team in scoring Friday night November 22 with 18 points in the 52-44 win over the host Sparta Lady Bulldogs. Conley is Chester’s only senior this season and is hoped to be a key, consistent contributor to Lady Jacket successes this season. Jim Beers Photo