On Feb. 12, the Lady Jackets beat Sesser-Valier in overtime on the road, 50-48, to improve to 1-1. The next night, Chester forced another OT contest, losing to Goreville by just three points, 46-43.
CHS 50, Sesser 48
The Lady Jackets handled the Lady Red Devils at Sesser, 50-48. The Red Devils are historically a very difficult to beat on their home court. Last season the Devils was one of only six teams to beat the Jackets and did so at Sesser by just one point, 66-65.
Against the Devils Friday February 12, in just the second game of a very early 2021 season, CHS tailed by three points, 11-8, after one quarter of play. During that first fame senior Reese Chandler hit two buckets, senior Josie Kattenbraker drained 3-pointer and junior Alyssa Seymour made the front end of a two-point free throw opportunity.
The second quarter was a deadlock with both Chester and Sesser-Valier adding 14 points to their totals. Chandler again paced he Lady Jackets with five points and seniors, Kendall Williams, Josie Kattenbraker and Katie Shinabargar each knocked down shots. Junior, Kailyn Absher rounded out the 14-point outing with a basket and free throw. Sesser led, 25-22 at halftime.
The third quarter was not kind to CHS as the Lady Red Devils outscored the Jackets, 9-6, to lead by six points, 34-28 going into the final period. Seniors paced the scoring in the third quarter with Chandler, Williams and Kattenbraker each hitting two-point field goals.
The Lady Jackets went to work in the fourth quarter outscoring Sesser, 11-5to tie the game, 39-39 and force overtime.
During that game-changing surge Chandler drained a 3-pointer, Kailyn Absher and Josie Kattenbraker each made two-pointers and Alyssa Seymour connected on a pair of free throws, and both Kattenbraker and Williams made free throws.
In the 4:00 overtime Chester outscored the Lady Devils, 11-9 to take the win. Josie Kattenbraker carried the Jackets with a pair of field goals and perfect 2-for-2 free throw shooting for six points. Topping off the winning effort Chandler drained a 3-pointer and Williams sank the front end of a pair of free throws. Chester won, 50-48.
Game stats
CHS: Reese Chandler (16), Josie Kattenbraker (16), Kendall Williams (8), Kailyn Absher (5), Alyssa Seymour (3), and Katie Shinabargar (2).
Sesser-Valier: M. Reynolds (13), A. Kishner (11), L. Eastham (11), E. Zahm (9), R. Basso (3), and G. Ort (1).
Goreville 46, CHS 43
The entire game at Goreville was neck-and-neck with the score tied at the end of the first quarter, 14-14, at the half, 21-21, and at the end of regulation, 38-38. The Lady Blackcats led, 32-27 at the end of the third quarter.
In the first quarter Reese Chandler hit a pair of three-pointers to pace the Lady Jackets. Alyssa Seymour made two field goals and Kendall Williams and Josie Kattenbraker each sank two free throws apiece for Chester's 14 points.
The second period was also a cat fight with both teams adding just seven points to their totals. Alyssa Seymour made her way to the bucket several times drawing fouls and making three free throws. Williams and Kattenbraker each made field goals to add the other four points to Seymour's three. Chester and Goreville were knotted, 21-21 at halftime.
After the break, the Blackcats outscored the Lady Jackets, 11-6 to lead CHS, 32-17 after three quarters. Chester's six points were a result of a pair of three-pointers, one by Chandler and the other by Kattenbraker. Goreville enjoyed taking a 5-point lead into the final period.
The Lady Jackets turned the table on the Lady Blackcats in the fourth quarter outscoring them, 11-6 to even the score again at 38-38 and force a tie at the end of regulation.
During that 8:00 Reese Chandler led the charge with a pair of field goals for four points. Seymour added three points on a field goal and 1-of-3 free throw shooting. Kattenbraker added a field goal as did Kailyn Absher.
During the 4-minute overtime period Goreville escaped the Jackets outscoring them, 8-5 to secure the victory, 46-43. In the overtime Alyssa Seymour carried the Jacket effort with all five points on two battles underneath and one free throw.
Game stats
CHS: Alyssa Seymour (15), Reese Chandler (13), Josie Kattenbraker (9), Kendall Williams (4), and Kailyn Absher (2).
Goreville: Compton (15), Abby King (10), Westerfield (9), Kisiatkaoski (8), Tosh (3) and Benard (1).
Senior Peyton Clendenin said the team isn't doing too bad, considering they had just two contact practices before playing their first game.
"Vienna had already played two games before hosting us and we beat them," she added. "Our season is progressing in the right direction as we are beginning to work more as a team. With more contact practices we are playing more to our potential. We are feeling more confident as the season progresses."
Clendenin said playing with new coaches this year is a change, but all three have fit in well with the team.
"They are all very good coaches and they are super helpful and are helping us make the best of an otherwise difficult season."
Regarding their improved play last week, senior Josie Kattenbraker said, the Lady Jackets "had pretty good defense compared to our first game.
"It was back-and-forth the whole game," she said. "We just couldn't pull it through at the end at Goreville."
