CGS Lady Jr. Jackets hit the court for first game of 2008-09 season
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[With only two-weeks practice under their belt, the Chester Grade School Lady Jr. Jackets Basketball Team hit the hardwood for an early season game Thursday, Oct. 30. Their opponent, Meadow Heights, MO, had already played 11 games so far this year as Missouri starts earlier and ends earlier than Illinois grade school teams.
The results were understandably unfortunate for the Jr. Jackets as Meadow Heights won the contest by a lopsided score of 58-25. Early games have always been somewhat difficult for CGS due to the fact that cross country doesn't end until the last part of October and Illinois public grade schools cannot begin practice until later than several of the area non-public schools that are on the early portion of their schedule.
Regardless, CGS Head Coach, Connie Clendenin was glad to get her girls on the court for competition because they will compete Nov. 3-9 in yet another annual event that is a warm-up to their regular season.
CGS always competes in the Pinckneyville 204 Tournament which features several other local teams that begin much earlier than CGS; however the 204 Tournament is a good opportunity for the Lady Jr. Jackets to play 4-5 games which get them ready for a very tough conference and regular season.
This year CGS hosted Meadow Heights at the CGS gymnasium. The event was an 8th grade game only due to the fact that Meadow heights did not have enough girls to have a 7th grade team.
Chester trailed 16-6 after the first quarter. It took a while for the girls to get started and rid themselves of the cobwebs that had accumulated over spring and summer. Megan Wagner, Taylor Gross and Miranda McCormick scored for the Jr. Jackets in that first period to get things rolling for CGS.
In the second quarter Meadow Heights got even hotter scoring 24 points. Chester added another eight points on three buckets by Allison Easton (6 pts.) and another basket by Megan Wagner. The Lady Jr. Jackets trailed by 26-points, 40-14, going into the locker room at the half.
Following the break, the Jr. Jackets really came out playing hard and added another seven points to their total. Allison Easton sank a free throw and another bucket for three additional points while Megan Wagner popped a shot too.
Marah Laramore got her name in the record book also when she scored two points on a field goal. The Jackets defense held Meadow Heights to only four points in the third and Chester trailed 44-21 after three periods of play.
In the fourth quarter Meadow Heights got hot again and scored 14 additional points giving them a game total of 58 points. Allison Easton connected one final time for two more Yellow Jacket points and Libby Bollmann sank a pair of free throws to give Chester another four points in the final period. Meadow Heights won the ball game, 58-25 and handed CGS a 0-1 record to begin 2008-09.
For the game Allison Easton led all Jackets scoring with 11 points followed by Megan Wagner (6), Taylor Gross (2), Miranda McCormick (2), Marah Laramore (2) and Libby Bollmann (2).
Laramore led in rebounding with seven boards. Taylor Gross and Allison Easton each pulled down five boards and Libby Bollmann and Megan Wagner grabbed a pair apiece. Miranda McCormick and Dannette Abernathy rounded out the rebounding with a board apiece.
Coach Clendenin stated after the game, "This was our first game of the season and even if the score doesn't indicate it, I think we have a lot of talent and potential to build on this season. I am excited about the upcoming season and enjoy working with this group of girls."
Clendenin also noted that the team has already demonstrated a dedication to this season and that they are working hard at each practice. She is looking forward to the Pinckneyville 204 Tourna-ment and agrees that it is a great way to build momentum heading into the Jr. Jacket's regular season schedule.