By beating the Christopher Bearcats on Monday, the Lady Jackets completed their first season sweep of an opponent -- and broke the CHS record for most wins by a girls basketball team.
The previous record of 21 games was set in 1990-1991. The 2019-20 team tied that record last Saturday when they beat Mt. Vernon, 65-48 in the Carbondale Mid-Winter Classic Tournament. Monday's 67-40 win broke the record. They are now 22-4 on the season and 4-2 in the Black Diamond Conference.
"The girls are excited with tonight's win," Coach Pat Knowles said. "They are very proud about setting a new school record for wins and are ready to get back to work tomorrow."
Jackets open strong
At Christopher the Jackets opened the game with a 22-6 run, with five girls scoring -- Destiny Williams had six points, Alyssa Seymour (5), Trinity Brown (4), Kendall Williams (4), and Reese Chandler (3).
For Christopher, Jessica Gordon, Kassie O'Bryan and Shianne Dejear each hit baskets in the first quarter.
The second quarter was another big one, as the Lady Jackets outscored the Lady Bearcats, 16-3. In that run, the same five players did the scoring. Alyssa Seymour had two field goals and a free throw; Trinity Brown made two field goals; Kendall Williams had a pair of field goals; Destiny Williams made back-to-back free throws and Reese Chandler made one free shot.
The Bearcats could muster up only three points on a field goal by McKensie Jackson and a free throw by Carly Freehill. At halftime, Chester led Christopher, 38-9.
To start the second half Coach Pat Knowles utilized the same five players that ended the first half, who scored 19 points. Destiny Williams and Trinity Brown hit field goals, Reese Chandler got hot and made back-to-back-to-back three pointers and one free throw for 10 points. Kendall Williams made two field goals and a free throw and Josie Kattenbraker hit a basket.
In the third period Peyton Clendenin, Kailyn Absher, and Audrey Hopper also contributed to the win.
But Christopher's shooting came alive in the third, adding 18 points to the previous nine. Five Lady Bearcats scored in that 18-point effort including Makayla Dejear (8), Jessica Gordon (4), Emily VanHoorebeke (3), McKensie Jackson (2), and Shianne Dejear (1). Chester led, 59-27 after three quarters of play.
With a 32-point Chester lead, the clock ran continuously throughout the fourth quarter. Coach Knowles played seven players, including Trinity Brown who scored four points on a field goal and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the line. Reese Chandler and Katie Shinabargar hit field goals.
Christopher scored 13 points in the final period. In that effort Makayla Dejear hit a three-pointer and a two point field goal for five points. Emily VanHoorebeke knocked down a field goal and the Bearcats were perfect from the free-throw line as Tori Crain went 4-for-4 and Carly Freehill went 2-for-2.
Chester highlights
Scoring: Reese Chandler (16), Trinity Brown (14), Kendall Williams (13), Alyssa Seymour and Destiny Williams (10), Katie Shinabargar and Josie Kattenbraker (2). CHS shot 45% (26-for-58). From the free-throw line the Jackets were 9 of 19. Destiny Williams led the team in assists with six. As a team the Jackets dished out a total of 15 assists.
Rebounds: Destiny Williams and Alyssa Seymour paced the Jackets with six boards apiece. As a team, Chester had 36 rebounds. With three steals, Destiny Williams led the team (which had nine). D. Williams also led the team in deflections with three. As a team, Chester had 11 deflections.
Bearcat highlights
Scoring: Makayla Dejear (13), Jessica Gordon (6), Emily VanHoorebeke (5), McKensie Jackson (4), Tori Crain (4), Shianne Dejear (3), Carly Freehill (3), and Kassie O'Bryan (2). The Bearcats shot 70 percent (14-of-20) from the free-throw line.
• Next up: The Lady Jackets have a second matchup with Sesser on Wednesday; and will host Trico at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
