Fast start leads CHS boys past Goreville

Jack Weir scored a quiet 22 points, and Chester raced out to an 18-2 lead as part of a 52-35 win over Goreville on Tuesday.

Jason Schwartz added 10 points for the Yellow Jackets (14-6, 4-2 Black Diamond West), who led by as much as 26 in the second half.

"I think it's a step toward where we want to go," said Chester coach Brad Norman on what the win means in the grand scheme of things. "We weren't quite sure how we were going to play because we only had two games in 16 days or something like that and it didn't feel like we played a whole lot lately.

"I think we came out and played with energy and we got ahold of them early."

Goreville (15-7) never got closer than 10 points, cutting Chester's lead to 20-10 on a layup by Davis Helton with 5:02 left in the second quarter.

"I felt like it was a clear statement," Norman said. "I think that we're currently one of the best teams in the conference and I also think we caught Goreville on a bad shooting night.

"I think if we play them nine times out of 10, it's going to be a five-point game because they're a pretty good ballclub."

Jared Vaughn and Brant Glidewell combined for 16 points for the Blackcats, who trailed 40-20 to start the fourth quarter.

"The key is they dominated every phase of the game," said Goreville coach Todd Tripp. "They looked good tonight. Maybe after Christopher whipped their hind ends they knew this was a conference game and were up for a home game.

"That's the way it goes. Luckily, we get another shot at them at our place."

Goreville contributed to its 16-point early deficit with several turnovers and charges, and crisp passing allowed Chester to break the Blackcats' press easily.

"They played well, they did what they had to do," Tripp said. "They shut a lot of things off that we tried to do. It was a physical game, advantage to them, but that's the way it goes sometimes."

Chester will make the return trip to Goreville on Feb. 16 and has a huge matchup with conference leader Christopher at home on Tuesday.

Tipoff on Tuesday against Christopher is around 7:30 p.m. Before that, Chester visits Gibault Catholic on Thursday and hosts Valmeyer on Saturday.

In the JV contest, Chester (6-7, 4-2 BDC West) got 15 points from Jake Haberberger and nine from Clay Herrell to take a 45-32 win over the Blackcats.