Jackets close Week 11 with big wins over Marissa and Red Bud and are edged out to Carlyle in a 5-point, 45-40, loss
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School YellowJacket boys have won 8 and lost 5 of their last 13 games. Since the beginning of the New Year, the Jackets have won 6 and lost 5 of their last 11 games. In Week 11, Chester won 2 games and lost just 1 game. CHS has been improving and playing with more confidence and determination in the waning weeks of the 2024-25 basketball season.
The YellowJackets are coached by Head Coach Chris Toledo. He is assisted by Nick Severs, Tony James, and Bryce Bainter. CHS has only two weeks left in the regular season and hopes to peek in the final three games to go into Regionals with momentum, confidence and determination.
In Week 11 Chester had a great win over Marissa, 51-46, on the road. They returned to Colbert Memorial Gym on the campus of Chester High School to play much improved basketball against a good Carlyle team. The Jackets took the Indians to the wire and got edged out by Carlyle by just five points, 45-40. The last time Chester played the Indians was December 10 at Carlyle when the Indians won by 18 points, 41-23.
The final game of Week 11 was on the road once again, this time to Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division foe, Red Bud. When Chester hosted Red Bud December 20 at CHS, the Jackets won, 55-45. The trip to Red Bud was an opportunity for the YellowJackets to sweep the Musketeers in conference play. The stage was set for Chester to complete the sweep, or for Red Bud to even the record at 1-1 for the 2024-25 season.
The YellowJackets traveled to Red Bud Friday February 7 to challenge the Musketeers. Red Bud jumped out to a 14-9 first quarter lead after the opening 8-minute period. Musketeers Luke Quintin and Gentry Gentry Donjon led the way for Red Bud with five points apiece. Lee Majors (not the movie star) and Trent Sternberg rounded out the first quarter scoring with two points apiece.
Chester had four players contribute to its first-quarter offense including Tray Peters and Kolton Jany who each drained 3-pointers, Devante Palacio who hit a bucket and Trey McCartney who knocked down 1-of-2 free throws. The Musketeers led by five points after the first period.
Red Bud did nothing except shake the hive with their first quarter success because the YellowJackets roared out of hive and stung the Musketeers to the tune of a 19-11 stinging in the second quarter.
Chester YellowJacket Basketball player, Devante Palacio (5), a 6’3″ senior, was Chester’s leading scorer Friday February 7 when the Jackets traveled to Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division foe, Red Bud. Palacio led Chester with 15 points as the YellowJackets defeated the Musketeers by five points, 53-48. With the win, Chester improved to an overall record of 13 wins and 14 losses, and a Cahokia Conference Illinois Division record of 3 wins and 4 losses. The win also completed a sweep of Red Bud for the 2024-2025 basketball season. Jim Beers Photo
The Jackets were led by Devante Palacio who made three fields goals for six points. Kolton Jany made two buckets for four points, Tray Peters and Trey McCartney each connected for three pointers, TaShawn Palacio added a basket, and Brenden Malley made 1-of-2 free throws for Chester’s 19-point effort.
Red Bud was led by Lucas Schwartzkopf who hit a 2-pointer and a 3-pointer for five points. Gentry Donjon knocked down a trey, and Luke Quintin was perfect at the free throw line for two points. Landon Ruebusch hit 1-of-2 free throws for one point. The YellowJackets led by three points, 28-25, at halftime.
The YellowJackets continued to sting the Musketeers after halftime with a 17-13 performance led by Kolton Jany who scored five points on a two-pointer and a three-pointer. Devante Palacio added four points on a pair of field goals. Tray Peters and Trey McCartney did a replay of the second quarter as they each drained three-pointers. Brenden Malley hit a deuce to give Chester 17 points.
The Musketeers had a great frame from Luke Quintin as he hit a field goal and made 4-of-5 free throws for six of Red Bud’s 13 points. Trent Sternberg popped a 3-pointer and Lucas Schwartzkopf and Lee Major each sank field goals. After three quarters of battle, Chester led by seven points, 45-38.
Down the stretch Chester faced a foul-fest as the Jackets went to the free throw line 12 times and made six. Devante Palacio added a field goal for Chester’s eight points.
Red Bud outscored the Jackets by just two points with a ten point effort. Luke Quintin continued to be the go-to guy as he scored six of Red Bud’s ten points on a trey, a deuce, and a free throw. Gentry Donjon and Trent Sternberg each hit field goals to complete the Musketeers’ 10 points.
At the final buzzer, Chester led, 53-48, to win the game by five points, and complete the sweep of Red Bud for the season!
In the loss. Red Bud was led by Luke Quintin who scored 19 points. Gentry Donjon was the only other Musketeer to score in double figures with ten points. Other contributors included Lucas Schwarzkopf (7), Trent Sternberg (7), Lee Major (4), and Landon Ruebusch (1). Red Bud was 12-of-17 from the free throw line (71%).
Chester had three players score in double figures led by Devante Palacio who scored 15 points. Kolton Jany scored 12 and Tray Peters scored 11. Other YellowJackets that contributed were Trey McCartney (8), TaShawn Palacio (4), and Brenden Malley (3). The Jackets shot (50% from the free throw line (8-of-16). They also made 12 two-pointers and seven 3-pointers.
With the win, the YellowJackets improved to an overall record of 13 wins and 14 losses. They improved to 3 wins and 4 losses in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division.
Next up for CHS will be a non-conference game at Gibault Catholic in Waterloo Tuesday February 11. They return home for a Cahokia Conference match-up with Randolph County rival, Sparta, Friday February 14 (Valentine’s Day). That is also 2025 CHS Cheer Camp Night. That completes Week 12.
Week 13 will be a home game with Cahokia Conference rival Wesclin on Tuesday February 18, Senior Night. That will complete the 2024-25 regular season.