A special night for CGS
On a night that may end up having more significance in the years to come, the Chester Grade School boys basketball teams held their first home opener in their new gymnasium.
Completed earlier this fall, the $5.85 million project held its formal grand opening last month, but Tuesday was the first official basketball game in the facility.
"I hope the kids remember this evening as a first game after they've been without a gym for three and a half years," said CGS Principal Tim Lochhead. "Some of these kids, they've never known a game that was in their own home gym, so I really feel like the biggest reward I got through the work that went on here was just watching the children enjoy this.
"They truly deserved (Tuesday) after three and a half years."
Facing Prairie du Rocher, CGS made sure the night went on a positive note with a pair of victories. The seventh grade team defeated the Hawks, 20-8, while the eighth grade team improved to 3-2 with a 40-23 victory.
"Especially when it's built up so much and you don't want to come out here and lay an egg in front of everybody," said CGS eighth grade coach Tyler Search. "You want to get that first one over with, so it was good to get that (win)."
In pregame, Search said he talked to the team about "how quick it can go."
"Yeah, they're in eighth grade right now, but I'd give anything to be in eighth grade again and to suit up one more time and play," Search said. "It's about giving 100 percent effort when you're out there because it goes by quick."
After a slow start, the seventh grade Jr. Jackets eventually distanced themselves from the Hawks. Dylan Hamilton, Hayden Gendron and Amere Donnell all scored six points each to power CGS.
The eighth grade contest was a bit more intense, with Ethan Rayburn leading the way with 20 points for the Jr. Jackets.
Caleb Nolen added eight points, while Brandon Schwier and Chett Andrews contributed four each.
"We were pretty sloppy," Search said. "But, I'm hoping we can start to piece together a few things as far as our defense and moving the ball a little bit better on offense and being patient.
"Sometimes our guys like to chuck up the shot because they think they have to and there's no shot clock. So, I'm trying to get that into their head that we need to be a little bit more patient and try to make the defense work, because we really haven't been doing that."
Chester is scheduled to face in-town rival St. John Lutheran at Parish Hall tonight. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.