Jackets fall, 54-37, minus one starter, TaShawn Palacio, who was absent due to illness
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – After battling last week in the Chester Invitational Tournament, and winning the Championship in a hard-fought Championship game against New Athens, 59-51, the Chester YellowJackets had to travel to New Athens Tuesday January 20 to face a likely unhappy Yellowjacket team.
The CIT Championship game was Saturday January 17 and the road trip to New Athens was just three days later. CHS played five games in the two weeks prior to the trip to New Athens and were undoubtedly somewhat tired. Making things interesting was the fact that they had to travel without the services of starter TaShawn Palacio who was sick.
In spite of the conditions, Chester was just down by three points, 23-20, at halftime and 36-30 after three quarters of play. Chester actually outscored New Athens by five points, 10-5, in the second quarter. The New Athens Yellowjackets used an 18-point first quarter and an 18-point 4th quarter to seal the win.
In the first quarter, Tallen James drained two 3-pointers and Kross Jany and Paxton Beam knocked down 2-pointers for Chester’s 10 points. New Athens’ Cam Taylor led the way for the Yellowjacket’s 18-point first quarter with seven points. Sawyer Sullivan connected for a pair of 3-pointers and Carson Lauer drained a three ball. Rounding out the quarter, Will Mulholland sank a pair of free throw. New Athens led, 18-10, after one quarter of play.
The Chester YellowJackets outscored the New Athens Yellowjackets, 10-5, in the second frame. Tray Peters paced CHS with a pair of 3-pointers. Trey McCartney and Paxton Beam each made a 2-pointer. New Athens offense was created by Carsen Lauer (3) and Cole Dashsteiner (2). Chester pulled within three points, 23-20, at the halftime buzzer.
In the 3rd quarter New Athens edged Chester by three points, 13-10. The Yellowjackets went to the free throw line nine times, making six. Wyatt Mulholland knocked down a trey and Lane Kimbrell and Graer Badgett each hit deuces.
Chester maintained consistency and scored 10 points for the third quarter in-a-row. Trey McCartney was quite instrumental in that effort making four field goals for a total of eight points of Chester’s ten. Zane Eggemeyer put in a shot for the YellowJacket’s final two points. CHS trailed by six points, 36-30, after three quarters of competition.
Going into the final quarter the Jackets were hopeful to catch New Athens and pass them to win the game. An 18-7 performance squelched Chester’s hopes. New Athens accomplished their goal with contributions from Wyatt Mulholland (2), Cam Taylor (3), Will Mulholland (7), Cam Steinwagner (3), Cole Dashsteiner (3).
The YellowJackets had a 3-pointer by Trey McCartney and 2-pointers from Kross Jany and Zane Eggemeyer.
In the win, New Athens was led by two players that scored in double figures. Will Mulholland 11 points and Cam Taylor scored 10 points apiece. They were assisted by Carson Lauer (6), Sawyer Sullivan (6), Wyatt Mulholland (5), Cam Steinwagner (5), Cole Dashsteiner (5), Lane Kimbrell (4), and Graer Badgett (2).
Chester’s Trey McCartney led all players from either team with 13 points. Other contributors included Tallen James (6), Trey McCartney (6), and Kross Jany, Zane Eggemeyer, and Paxton Beam with four points apiece. Chester only went to the free throw line twice and made neither (0%). They made 11 two-pointers and five 3-pointers.
Next week the Jackets are scheduled for three games. Monday January 28 Chester will travel to West Frankfort; Tuesday CHS will host Carterville. Friday the Jackets will travel to Okawville. All Varsity games are at 7:30 p.m.