CHESTER – Basketball season has officially started for the Chester Yellowjackets. The Lady Jackets traveled to Little Centerville on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and played hard but came up short 26-54. Caede Pounds led with 10 points, Ty Cochran and Harley Jones scored six each, Tegan Toler scored four.
The Lady Jackets have a young team with one junior, three sophomores, and four freshmen. They are coached by Superintendent Cory Hines, and Chester alumni Jasmine Newman. This week the Lady Jackets begin district play in Hull-Daisetta on Dec. 9. On Dec. 11-13 they will participate in the R.B. Moffett Classic tournament in Colmesneil, with game times to be announced.
The boys team is able to suit up a JV and varsity team this year with higher participation numbers. The JV and varsity squads faced Woden early last week on Tuesday, Dec. 2. For the JV team Ethan Gray led with 10 points, Russell McDonnold had four, Weston Wiseman and Greyson Rosencranz each had two.
The varsity barely fell short with a score of 45-49. Kasen Citrano led with 20 points followed closely by Braysen Neal with 18. Jaxon Gay had 7 and Turner Johnson had a three pointer. At the end of the week the varsity team traveled to Broaddus to participate in their tournament. The Jackets started the tournament off strong defeating Shelbyville 47-44. Kasen Citrano had 16 points, Turner Johnson and Jaxon Gay had 12 points each, Braysen Neal and Jayse Gay had three points each.
The Jackets defeated Hemphill in bracket play 47-39. Kasen Citrano led with 25 points, Turner Johnson had 10, Jaxon Gay 5, Bryson Swanson sank a three, Jayse Gay had 2, and Braysen Neal scored one on a free throw. The Jackets came up short against West Rusk, West Sabine, and Broaddus, but did not have a bad showing considering the very short amount of practice they have had due to their football playoff run.
Kasen Citrano earned the Outstanding Player award averaging 20 points a game through the tournament. This week the Jackets will face Spurger at home on Dec. 9, and travel to Colmesneil Dec. 11-14 for the Colmesneil tournament.
