Riley Lochhead, Lillian Diskey, Natalie Guetersloh, Jessica Stumpe, Aubrey Coleman, and Lexi Mott are honored at pre-game ceremony Thursday February 5
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Thursday February 5 was “Senior Night” for the 2025-26 Chester High School Lady Jackets Basketball Team. The event took place at the Chester High School Lady Jackets vs Red Bud Lady Musketeers Basketball game. It was the next-to-the-last home game for the six senior ladies and a large crowd showed up at CHS Colbert Memorial Gymnasium to honor the senior Lady Jackets.
The game featured the Lady Jackets and the Lady Musketeers from Red Bud. It was a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division match-up and the Chester Lady Jackets came into the contest with a 2-game winning streak. Their overall record was 14-11 and they had a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 3-4.
In between the JV game and the warm-ups for the Varsity game CHS Athletic Director and other CHS Administrators conducted the “Senior Night” ceremony. This season Chester has a large number of senior players. For the first time in many years there are six seniors on the Lady Jackets team.
Seniors and their parents were recognized in numerical uniform order. The following players were introduced by stadium announcer Mike Lochhead. The order of introductions were as follow, including Riley Lochhead (21), Lillian Diskey (21), Natalie Guetersloh (22), Jessica Stumpe (24), Aubrey Coleman (31) and Lexi Mott (33).
Chester High School Cheerleaders, Dance Team members and underclassmen team members formed a tunnel at the entrance of the Lady Jacket locker room. As the respective players were introduced to the crowd, they entered Colbert Gym and walked through the human tunnel. As they made their way through the line of fellow underclassmen players, cheerleaders and dance team members, they were presented with balloons and gift bags and lots of congratulatory greetings. Player biographical sketches follow.
Riley Lochhead 11
Riley Lochhead (11) daughter of Tony and Jennifer Lochhead Jim Beers Photo
Riley is the daughter of Tony and Jennifer Lochhead. This is her third year on the basketball team. She also played golf. Her favorite is basketball is beating Red Bud at the game that was dedicated to Coach Jeff Mott. Her advice for underclassmen was to practice like you play. It is as important as playing in games. Riley had a rough year having to sit out for about four weeks with a stress fracture. She just returned to the lineup about two weeks ago.
After graduation Riley plans to go to cosmetology school. She wants to thank her Mother for her support, even though she really doesn’t understand the game. She also thanked her Dad for helping her become a better player. Finally, Riley thanked her grandpa Mike Lochhead for being her No. 1 supporter.
Lillian Diskey (21)
Lillian Diskey (21) daughter of David and Tonya Diskey Jim Beers Photo
Lillian is the daughter of David and Tonya Diskey. She played basketball all four years at CHS. She also played volleyball her freshman and sophomore years and she is a key member of the CHS Track and Field Team. Her favorite memory is surprising Coach Mott with a game dedicated to him while winning against Red Bud. After graduation Lillian will go to SWIC to study radiology.
Her advice to underclassmen is to always give 100% in both practice and games and to enjoy every minute of it because it flies by fast! She thanked her family for always coming to her games to support her, and her coaches for always pushing her to do her best. She also thanked her teammates for all the memories. Lastly, Lillian thanked her Mom for all the hard work she does to push her and for being her No. 1 supporter.
Natalie Guetersloh (22)
Natalie Guetersloh (22) daughter of Jacob and Amy Guetersloh Jim Beers Photo
Natalie is the daughter of Jacob and Amy Guetersloh. She played basketball all four years at CHS. She was further involved with track and cheerleading. Her favorite memory is playing against Red Bud and beating them at the game they had for Coach Jeff Mott.
Her advice to underclassmen is to always give 100% effort in practice and games, but most importantly to have fun! After graduation, Natalie plans to go to college. Her area of concentration is undecided. She thanked her parents and coaches and Rylee Shemonic for helping her get through the hard practices.
Jessica Stumpe (24)
Jessica Stumpe (24), daughter of Scott Stumpe and Jennifer Cartwright Jim Beers Photo
Jessica is the daughter of Scott Stumpe and Jennifer Cartwright. She has played basketball all four years. She also competed in track and field all four years. Her freshman through junior years she was on the CHS golf team. Finally, her freshman and sophomore years she played volleyball.
Her favorite memory is decorating the gym for the game that was dedicated to Coach Jeff Mott last year when they won against Red Bud. Her advice to the underclassmen is to always bring 100% to practice and games. Further, she said “don’t be hard on yourselves and enjoy games and have fun!”
After graduation Jessica plans to enjoy her summer with friends and family before heading to college. She thanked all of her coaches for always pushing her to get better and for believing in her even when she didn’t believe in herself. Finally, she thanked her parents and family for coming to every game and supporting her. Lastly, Jessica thanked her fellow seniors for being so funny and amazing. She was very thankful for getting to spend her senior year with them!
Aubrey Coleman (31)
Aubrey Coleman (31), daughter of Brad and Jen Coleman Jim Beers Photo
Aubrey is the daughter of Brad and Jen Colman. She played basketball all four years at CHS. She played volleyball her freshman year and ran track her freshman and sophomore years. Her favorite basketball memory is beating Red Bud at the game dedicated to Coach Jeff Mott.
Aubrey’s advice to underclassmen is to play with confidence and to show up for your team. Always give forth your best effort. After graduation she plans to attend Renaissance Beauty School to earn a degree in cosmetology and get her license.
Aubrey thanked her Mom for always being there to guide her and her Dad for always showing up and pushing her to be the best she can be. She further thanked her grandpa Pat who instilled in her the same love and passion he had for the game. Finally, Aubrey thanked Coach Jeff Mott for all of his time and effort he has dedicated to the players.
Lexi Mott (33)
Lexi Mott (33), daughter of Jeff and Tracy Mott Jim Beers Photo
Lexi is the daughter of Jeff and Tracy Mott. She has played basketball all four years at CHS and is also a starter on both the softball and volleyball teams. Her favorite basketball memory was raising money for her Dad, Jeff Mott, and Carterville’s Coach, Eli Gunter, to support both of their battles with cancer.
Lexi earned a single game scoring record of 38 points; a career rebounding record; a career free throw record for most made free throws; a 1000th point Club membership; and she just recently broke a career points scored record for surpassing the record of Jennifer Coleman set when she was in high school of 1,566 points. Lexi surpassed that record during the Red Bud game 2-5-26.
Lexi advised the underclassmen to show up and work hard every single day. She thanked her coaches and teammates for always pushing her. She also thanked her parents, brothers and grandparents for supporting her throughout her career.
Chester’s six Lady Jacket Basketball players and their parents proudly stand center court after being introduced at Chester High School’s “Senior Night 2026” prior to the CHS vs Red Bud game Thursday February 5. The Lady Jackets defeated Red Bud for the third time this season, 50-48, in overtime on Senior Night. Jim Beers Photo
Senior Night 2026 was a huge success and the girls played their hearts out and beat Red Bud, 50-48, in overtime. The huge crowd made it all the more enjoyable and the CHS Pep Band, Football players, Pep Club, CHS Cheerleaders, and CHS Dance team made it all the more enjoyable and memorable.