Chester girls hoops has tough week
After a nice win over Sparta on Nov. 20, the Chester Lady Yellow Jackets faced a post-Thanksgiving gauntlet last week.
Chester traveled to Vienna on Nov. 27, a 62-31 loss, before hosting Gibault Catholic in its home opener on Nov. 28, a 70-63 loss, before wrapping up the week with a 79-39 road loss to Sesser-Valier-Waltonville on Dec. 2.
Against Vienna, Chester fell behind 24-2 after the first quarter, with only freshman Reese Chandler's two free throws accounting for the Lady Yellow Jackets' points.
The Lady Eagles outscored Chester 16-10 in the second quarter to take a 40-12 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Vienna kept the pressure on in the third, taking a 58-20 lead into the fourth.
Only one Chester player scored in double figures as Destiny Williams recorded 10 points, followed by Josie Kattenbraker (8), Chandler (6), Katie Shinabargar (3), and Abby Myers and Kendall Williams with two apiece.
Chester was outrebounded 35-19 - led by Destiny Williams with six boards - but 23 turnovers helped to doom the Lady Yellow Jackets at Vienna.
Chester had a much better start against Gibault, leading 18-8 after the first period and 32-22 at halftime. The Lady Yellow Jackets outscored the Lady Hawks 14-12 in the third to take a comfortable 46-34 advantage into the final frame.
But it fell apart after that, as Gibault ruined Chester's home opener with a 36-17 run in the fourth quarter.
Destiny Williams (28) and Kattenbraker (13) each double digits for the Lady Yellow Jackets, while Myers had a good night on offense with nine points. The Hawks had three players in double figures in Marie Davis (28), Ashlyn Wightman (17) and Alexis Chambers (17). Chester outrebounded Gibault 26-23, led by Taylor Dunning with 11 boards. The Yellow Jackets dished out 21 assists and had four steals led by two from Myers.
Chester shot 41 percent for the night from the field (24-of-58) and 67 percent from the free-throw line.
Nothing seemed to go right for CHS last Saturday at Sesser, as the Lady Red Devils led 20-9 after one quarter of play and 35-15 at the half.
Things didn't get any better in the third period as Sesser outscored Chester, 22-6 to lead 57-21.
For the game, the Lady Yellow Jackets only had one player score in double figures and that was Destiny Williams with 21.
Reese Chandler added six and Taylor Dunning scored four. Sesser had four players score in double figures including Sami McCowen (15), Brooke Wilderman (15), Jaice McCowen (11), and Carlie Page (10).
In all, the Lady Red Devils had 10 players score and Sesser outrebounded Chester 28-22.
With the third loss of the week, Chester fell to 3-6 for the year and 0-2 in the Black Diamond Conference. The Lady Yellow Jackets hosted Zeigler-Royalton on Monday and will visit Trico on Thursday. Both are conference games.