Late Chester run falls short as Jackets lose, 55-41; with 3:32 to play and down just 8 points, 49-41, a 6-0 AJ run dooms CHS
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Lady Jackets began a 3-game home stand Tuesday January 20 when the Anna-Jonesboro Lady Wildcats came to Chester Colbert Memorial Gymnasium to challenge the Jackets.
Head Coach Jeff Mott was ill and didn’t sit on the bench to protect the players. Assistant Coach, Camryn Howie, who is studying at SEMO to earn a degree in Physical Education, took over the primary coaching role in Coach Mott’s absence.
The Lady Jackets had a seven-day layoff since their last contest on Monday January 12 when they won, 46-30, at Red Bud. Coaches were of the opinion that perhaps the long absence from competition may have softened the girl’s competitive spirit. The entire evening seemed to lack drive, spirit, aggressiveness, and confidence. AJ appeared to have their way with the Lady Jackets throughout most of the game.
Neither team scored until the 6:30 mark when AJ’s Lindyn Eudy scored. That started a 10-4 AJ run that lasted until the 3:47 mark when Chester’s Lillian Diskey sank a pair of free throws.
The remainder of the first quarter, AJ enjoyed another 8-3 run that ended with Jessie Stumpe draining a 3-pointer with 35-seconds left in the period. Anna-Jonesboro led by nine points, 18-9, at the first quarter break.
A 9-0 Lady Wildcat run opened the second quarter. AJ led, 27-9, at the 4:23 mark. That run ended with 4:10 to play in the second quarter when Lexi Mott (4) and Marlie Caby (2) came alive and orchestrated a 6-0 run to get Chester within 12 points, 27-15.
With 1:37 to play, AJ’s Jadyn Gerardi went to the line and sank two free throws. Just 27-seconds later she went to the line again and connected for another free throw. Chester’s Lexi Mott made a hard move to the basket with 42.8 seconds remaining. She scored and was fouled, putting her at the line to complete the traditional 3-point play. Her free throw was good and Chester trailed by 12 points, 30-18, at the half.
The third quarter was a draw with both teams scoring 10 points apiece. The Lady Wildcats scored six of their ten points at the free throw line. They were 6-of-10 at the line. Emma Craig and Lindyn Eudy hit buckets during that stretch to complete the 10-point 3rd quarter.
Chester didn’t score until the 4:10 mark when Lexi Mott fought her way to the basket for two points. At that point, the Lady Jackets trailed by 16 points, 36-20. Immediately after that CHS score, AJ’s Kansas Craig went to the line and drained two free shots and Jayda Shepard went to the line 45-seconds later and sank another free throw. AJ led, 39-20, (19 points) with 3:16 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Chester responded with an 8-1 run to finish the 3rd quarter. Marlie Caby sank a free throw (3:12). Jessie Stumpe hit a basket (2:58). Lexi Mott made another hard play to the hoop (2:20). To close out the run, Jessica Stumpe hit her second 3-pointer of the game (1:20). At the buzzer, Chester trailed by 12 points 40-28.
Things got really interesting down the stretch in the 4th quarter. Both teams fought hard and made significant runs on the other team. Chester scored 13 points and Anna-Jonesboro scored 14 points in the final period.
The Wildcats shot 14 free throws in the 4th quarter. They made all but three free throws for 13 of their 15 points. The old saying that you have to make your free throws proved to be true with the Lady Wildcats.
Chester’s 13-point quarter started with Aubrey Coleman sinking a bucket at the 7:37 mark. (CHS trailed by 10 points, 40-30). AJ responded by scoring four points. (CHS trailed by 14 points, 44-30).
Lillian Diskey knocked down a 3-pointer at 6:26. (CHS trailed by 11 points, 44-33). Natalie Guetersloh hit a bucket at 5:36. (CHS trailed by 11 points, 46-35). Jessica Stumpe drained her third 3-pointer of the game at 4:30. (CHS trailed by single digits, nine points, 47-38). Finally, Jessica Stumpe drained a 4th 3-pointer with 3:32 remaining in the game. (CHS trailed by just eight points, 49-41).
At that point in the game, there was still plenty of time left for Chester to continue cutting the lead and go for the win! With just 2:16 to play, Lexi Mott was fouled and went to the free throw line. She got two free throws. Had she made both, the Jackets would have narrowed their deficit to just six points. Unfortunately the shots fell short and AJ still led, 49-41.
In the final 2:16 the Lady Wildcats went on a 6-0 run to close out the game and take home the win. All six of AJ’s points in that final 6-0 run came at the free throw line. At the final buzzer, the Lady Wildcats led by 14 points, 55-41.
In the win, AJ used basically five players. Those five players scored all of the Wildcat’s points. Four of those players scored in double figures. Kansas Craig led all players on either team with 18 points. Jadyn Gerardi added 14 points. Lindyn Eudy scored 10 points and Jayda Shepard scored 10 points. Emma Craig rounded out the AJ scoring with three points. The Wildcats made 21 of 30 free throws (70%). They also made 17 two-pointers. They did not make any 3-pointers.
The Lady Jackets had scoring from six players. Two Jackets scored in double figures including Jessica Stumpe (14) and Lexi Mott (11). Other contributors were Lillian Diskey (5), Marlie Caby (5), Aubrey Coleman (4), and Natalie Guetersloh (2). CHS shot 44% from the free throw line (4-of-9). They also made 11 two-pointers and five 3-pointers.
With the loss, the Lady Jackets now have an overall record of 11-10 and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 2-3. Next up for the Lady Jackets will be a visit from the Steeleville Lady Warriors on Thursday January 22.
In the JV game the Lady Jackets fell to AJ, 41-20. Chester was led by Rylee Shemonic who scored 8 points, followed by Bailey Hartman (5), Evelyn McKinney (3), Kenna Thompson (2), and Harlow Ebers (2).
AJ led 12-5 after one quarter and 19-9 at the half. After three quarters Chester trailed by 29-12 and at the final buzzer the Jackets lost, 41-20.
Jessica Stumpe (24) a senior Lady Jacket guard was Chester’s leading scorer Tuesday January 20 in the home game against Anna-Jonesboro. Stumpe scored 14 points and was a key defender against the Lady Wildcats. Jim Beers Photo
Lady Jacket Aubrey Coleman (31) a senior guard, drives to the lane to put up a short jumper in the game against Anna-Jonesboro. Cleman made her shot to start off the 4th quarter and extend her team’s point-total to 30 points. In the game Coleman contributed a total of four points out of Chesters’s 41 points. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Lady YellowJacket players and Anna-Jonesboro Lady Wildcat players stand to attention in the pre-game ceremony Tuesday January 20 at Colbert Memorial Gymnasium. Jim Beers Photo