Chester gets five on all-conference teams

The Black Diamond Conference recently announced its all-conference baseball and softball teams, with a combined five Chester players getting selected.

The conference typically waits until all its teams have been eliminated from the postseason before announcing its selections, which are determined by votes from the conference's coaches, and Goreville's run to the state tournament in both sports created an extended wait.

In baseball, Chester junior Curt Meyer and freshman Ethen Eggemeyer earned BDC West Division all-conference honors for the Yellow Jackets, who finished coach Jeremy Blechle's final season with a record of 5-19.

Chester saw its season end with a 6-4 loss to Randolph County rival Sparta in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A Red Bud Regional.

Eggemeyer was one of only two underclassmen on the all-conference list, joining Trico sophomore Jacob Lodge. IHSA Class 1A third-place finisher Goreville ended up with four selections, including MVP Brodie Lenon and captain Brant Glidewell.

In softball, Chester seniors Logan Colvis and Haley Middendorf joined junior Miah Mitchell as all-conference selections. The Lady Yellow Jackets finished 12-11 last season, losing to eventual state fourth-place finisher Pinckneyville, 5-0, in the semifinals of the Class 2A Anna-Jonesboro Regional.

Class 1A state softball champion Goreville was well-represented too with four selections, including sophomore standout Alexandria King as captain. Trico star Jade Kranawetter was named MVP.