Close out regular season with, 51-35, loss at Sparta to finish 14-16 overall and 2-8 in Cahokia Conference
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — The Chester High School Lady Jackets Basketball Team finished the 2022-23 regular season in Week 11 with a, 49-16, win Wednesday February 8 on Camrynn Howie’s “Senior Night” against Lebanon, and a, 51-35, loss Thursday February 9 at Sparta.
With those performances, the Jackets finished the regular season with records of 14-16 overall and 2-8 in the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division.
CHS says goodbye to Camrynn Howie Wednesday February 8 with, 49-16, win over Lebanon
The Lady Jackets had a great game Wednesday February 8 on “Senior Night” 2023. It was a fun and positive atmosphere due to the Jacket’s commanding, 49-16, victory over Lebanon, but a sad evening knowing that it was the final home performance for Chester’s only senior, Camrynn Howie.
The Lady Greyhounds from Lebanon, Illinois, were no match for the Lady Jackets of Chester. Lebanon has an enrollment of only 275 students and apparently has had similar issues as Chester being able to fill a sufficient roster to compete comfortably during the 2022-23 season.
The Greyhounds, who entered Colbert Gymnasium with just six players, were forced to cancel the JV game due to a lack of players. Chester has faced similar situations this season since they only have 11 players and have had to play JV games using just two quarters or one extended quarter with a continuous clock.
Chester raced out to a 26-6 lead in the opening quarter behind the efforts of Jazzi Merideth (9), Riley Conley (7), Camrynn Howie (6), and Emma Diskey (4). The Greyhounds got all six of their points from Autumn Guyette who drained a pair of 3-pointers.
Chester shut out Lebanon in the second quarter 9-0 to lead 35-6 at halftime. The Greyhound’s negative situation was increased even more in that quarter when one of their six players broke her finger and had to leave the game for good. That left them with only five players and no bench relief.
In the second quarter Camrynn Howie connected for a pair of 3-pointers for six points, Riley Conley hit a 2-pointer, and Lexi Mott made a free throw for Chester’s nine-point offensive production.
The third quarter was close as the Lady Jackets scored six points and Lebanon scored four points.
Coach Cowan used his bench frequently throughout the game with everyone getting plenty of playing time.
In the third quarter, Jessica Stumpe scored two points, Lexi Mott contributed two points, and Emma Diskey added two points for Chester’s six point addition. Alexia Maiwa and Aryanna Wright each hit baskets for Lebanon’s four points.
The final period was once again close as the Jackets outscored the Greyhounds, 8-6. For Chester, Camrynn Howie drained another pair of 3-pointers and Camryn Wolff knocked down a bucket for the Jacket’s eight points.
For Lebanon, Autumn Guyette threw in a “three-ball” and Zora Boggs knocked down a 2-pointer. Alexia Maiwa completed the Greyhound’s six point effort by sinking a free throw.
In the “Senior Night” win, Chester was led by Camryn Howie who scored 18 points. Jazzi Merideth and Riley Conley each added nine points apiece. Emma Diskey contributed six points and Lexi Mott scored three points. Rounding out the YellowJacket’s 49-poiny effort were Jessica Stumpe and Camrynn Wolff who each added two points apiece.
The Jackets made (15) 2-pointers, six 3-pointers, and made 1-of-6 free throws (17%). CHS was called for four fouls in the first half, and seven fouls in the second half for a total of 11 fouls.
Lebanon was led by Autumn Guyette who scored nine points, followed by Alexia Maiwa (3), Zora Boggs (2), and Aryanna Wright (2). The Greyhounds made six 2-pointers and hit 1-of-7 free throws (14%).
Jacket Nation said goodbye to the Lady Jacket’s only senior, Camrynn Howie, prior to the start of the varsity game in a brief “Senior Night” 2023 ceremony. Camrynn is the daughter of Josh and Christa Howie.
Sparta 51- Chester 35 in final regular season game of 2022-23 season
It was Senior Night 2023 at Sparta Thursday night February 9 and the Lady Bulldogs were fired-up and more than ready to play basketball to end their regular season finale.
Prior to the start of the varsity game, a large rowdy crowd at Sparta honored eight Lady Bulldog senior players and their parents.
Honorees included Sadie Hamilton, daughter of Jim and Molly Hamilton; Anna McDonald, daughter of Jim and Catina McDonald; Kylie McDaniel, daughter of Christen Puckett and David McDaniel; Sydney Rheinecker, daughter of Corey and Jennifer Rheinecker; Kamiya Richardson, daughter of Cassandra Richardson; Daira Sangurima, daughter of Tony and Jenny Sangurima; Belle Ware, daughter of Natasha Roberts; and Emily Sangurima, daughter of Tony Sangurima and Gladis Espinoza.
Sparta ran out ahead of the Lady Jackets, nipping them, 12-0 in the opening 3:57 of the game, and 17-5 at the end of the first quarter of play. Chester did not score until 3:22 when Camrynn Howie sank a pair of free throws. She later hit a 3-pointer at 2:08 to give Chester its five first quarter points.
Sparta had five players strike in the opening period including Sydney Rheinecker (7), Sadie Hamilton (3), Maddie Schulein (3), and Belle Ware (4).
The second quarter was much better, but Sparta outscored CHS, 8-3 to lead, by 17 points, 25-8, at the half. Jazzi Merideth made a basket and Riley Conley hit a free throw for Chester’s three points.
Sparta got two points apiece from Kenzie Pierce, Hamilton and Belle Ware on baskets and Rheinecker connected for two free throws.
In the opening 16 minutes Chester was called for seven fouls and the Lady Bulldogs were called for 10 fouls.
The third quarter was competitive with Sparta scoring 11 points and Chester adding seven points. Chester’s Riley Conley came alive hitting back-to-back 3-poiters and Lexi Mott sank a free throw for CHS.
Pierce popped a trey and sank three free throws to pace Sparta. Hamilton hit her second three of the night, and Rheinecker hit a bucket for the Dawgs’ 11 points. At the end of three quarters of play, Sparta led by 21 points, 36-15.
Down the stretch, in the 4rth quarter, Chester outscored Sparta, 20-15, once the Bulldogs began substituting. The 4th quarter took forever as both team fouled a lot. Chester sank 3 free throws at the line and Sparta sank 10 three free throws. Ten of Sparta’s 15 points came at the charity stripe.
The Lady Jackets had eight points from Lexi Mott and six points from Camrynn Howie. Jessica Stumpe and Aubrie Coleman connected on treys for six points.
In the loss, the Lady Jackets made six 2-pointrs, five 3-pointers, and hit 8-of-15 free throws (53%). Chester was called for 23 fouls.
Sparta was led by Rheinecker who recorded 15 points, followed by Hamilton (11), Pierce (8), Schulein (8), Ware (7), and the highlight of the game when Daira Sangurima popped a field goal with 1:10 to play in the game. The entire Sparta fan base cheered at great length for Sangurima’s basket!
In the win, the Lady Bulldogs made nine 2-pointers, six 3-pointers, and made 15-of-29 free throws (52%). In the game, Sparta was called for 17 fouls compared to Chester’s 23 fouls. Fifteen of Sparta’s 51 points came from the free throw line. Eight of Chester’s 35 points came from the free throw line.
The Jackets ended their 2022-2023 regular season with an overall record of 14 wins and 16 losses overall and 2 wins and 8 loses in the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division.
The Jackets will play at Nashville Saturday February 11 at 1:00 p.m. against the Nashville Lady Hornets in the 2023 IHSA Class 2A Regional Tournament.
In the photos:
Chester High School junior, Emma Diskey (35) is introduced Thursday February 9 during pre-game ceremonies at Sparta High School. It was the last regular season game for the CHS Lady Jackets and the final Cahokia Conference game of 2022-23. Diskey, a junior, is a Lady Jacket forward and starts most of Chester’s games. Jim Beers Photo
It was a David and Goliath match-up Thursday February 9 when Chester played Sparta in the final game of the 2022-23 regular season. Shown here Chester’s Jazzi Merideth (12) jumps the opening tip-off against Sparta’s most formidable player, senior Belle Ware (52). Meridth battled hard with no fear and played like a giant the entire game. The Lady Bulldogs won the battle, however, 51-35, against a lack-luster Lady Jacket performance on Sparta’s “Senior Night”. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Lady Jacket Head Coach, Clint Cowan, discusses an issue with one of the three referees Thursday February 9 when the Jackets played Sparta in the final regular season game and final Cahokia Conference game of the season. Cowan apparently lost his battle with the referee as the call was not changed, and the Chester Lady Jackets lost their battle, as the Lady Bulldogs won, 51-35, to end the regular season for both teams. Jim Beers Photo