CGS Ladys Win Annual Tournament
By Jim Beers
The Chester Grade School Lady Jr. Jackets hosted their own annual tournament Saturday January 5 at CHS Juergen's Gym. Four teams battled for the title of 2013 champion including CGS, Trico, Smithton and Dupo. The Junior Jackets became the first Chester Grade School team in almost two decades to win the title with victories over Trico, 39-23 and Smithton, 27-19.
The event tipped-off at 10 AM with the hosts Chester taking on Trico in Game #1. CGS jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the first quarter and led 20-11 at the half. The Jackets outscored Trico, 12-8 in the third period to lead 32-19 going into the final quarter. In the fourth quarter CGS added another seven points and Trico could only muster up another four points as the Lady Jr. Jackets won the contest, 39-23.
Chester was led by 8th grader Emily Tudor, who scored 10 points followed by Kaitlyn Dillow (8), Logan Colvis (7), Haley Middendorf (6), Alyssa Keith (6) and Alexis McMath (2). Trico was led by Nagel who scored six points. The win improved Chester's record to 16-2 and catapulted them into the championship game at 2:15 PM. Trico would play the 1:00 PM game for 3rd Place.
Game #2 began at approximately 11:00 AM and featured Smithton and Dupo who battled back-and-fourth the entire game. Smithton led 7-4 after the first quarter, but Dupo tied the game, 12-12 at the half.
The difference in the game took place in the third period when Smithton outscored Dupo, 7-4 to lead, 19-16 at the end of three quarters of play. The final quarter was a tie with both teams scoring 11 points apiece. Dupo had the ball with just 13.6 seconds to play and had the chance to tie the game but turned the ball over. Smithton won the game, 30-27 advancing them to the championship game against Chester at 2:15 PM. Dupo would battle Trico for 3rd Place in Game #3 at 1:00 PM. Smithton was led by Schultz who scored 12 points followed by Schamuel (6), Witworth (4), Gundlach (2), Fischer (2) and Mirly (2). Dupo was led by Snider who had 15 points.
Game #3 was a bit late starting due to the longevity of the long, drawn-out battle between Smithton and Dupo, but after Dupo rested a bit and regrouped, Trico and Dupo tipped off in the contest for 3rd Place.
Trico led, 8-3 after the first quarter and 16-8 at the half. After three quarters of play Trico led, 27-10. In the final period both teams scored eight points. Trico won the 3rd Place honors by a score of 35-18.
Trico was led by Kranaweter who recorded 12 points followed by Brasel (11), King (4), Nagel (4), Smith (2) and Eilers (2). Dupo was paced by Barlow who scored eight points.
The Championship, Game #4, started shortly after the conclusion of the Trico-Dupo game and featured the Chester Grade School Lady Jr. Jackets and the Smithton Cougars. Chester led from beginning to end and won the contest, 27-19.
In the first quarter the Jr. Jackets led, 8-3, behind the shooting of 8th grader Kaitlyn Dillow who knocked down all four shots for Chester's 8-points. Smithton's three points were scored by Whitworth who hit a field goal and a free throw.
The second quarter was much closer with CGS adding five more points to their total and Smithton adding another four points. Chester led 13-7 at the break. The Lady Jr. Jackets got into early foul trouble in the first half as Kaitlyn Dillow and Logan Colvis were both on the bench with three fouls apiece. Alyssa Keith and Emily Tudor each had one foul apiece also sending the Cougars to the free throw line many times.
With Colvis and Dillow on the bench 8th grader Alexis McMath came off the bench and did an excellent job for the Lady Jackets scoring on a field goal and hitting a key free throw. McMath also did a great job of controlling the boards grabbing several rebounds.
For the second quarter Chester's five points came from McMath's three points and a Haley Middendorf field goal. Smithton's Gurdlach hit a field goal while Mave and Schulte knocked down free throws for the Cougar's four points. It was a six point game at the popcorn break.
Chester had a big third quarter to more-or-less seal the game. A 10-2 run put the Jr. Jackets in the driver's seat as CGS led, 23-9 after three quarters of play. Dillow came back into the game after halftime and scored six points while Alexis McMath continued her big game adding four more points to Chester's total. Voland scored Smithton's only field goal.
Smithton never gave up, however, and gave Chester a 10-4 run during the last quarter. With CGS in continued foul trouble the Cougars took advantage of the situation and fought hard during the last period.
In the fourth quarter Chester's Dillow scored two points on a field goal and Middendorf knocked down a pair of free throws. Smithton got ten points from Whitworth who hit a field goal and three free throws. Gurdlach and Mirly scored field goals and Schulte sank a free throw.
As the final buzzer sounded Chester led 27-19 and secured the title of Champion of the 2013 Annual CGS Lady Jr. Jacket Invitational Tournament. In doing so CGS improved to 17-2 for the year.