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Senior Nights: CHS Athletics honors basketball players, cheerleaders, parents

Worried that in the age of COVID-19 games can still be canceled without warning, Chester High School moved up its winter sports Senior Nights.

"We wanted to make sure our kids had the recognition they so greatly deserved," said Jeremy Blechle, CHS Athletic Director.

Five senior Lady Jackets and their parents were honored Thursday before the Black Diamond Conference matchup against Trico. Each player received flowers and orange and black balloons as a token of appreciation.

The players recognized are Reese Chandler, daughter of Jimmy Chandler and Heather Nitzsche; Peyton Clendenin, daughter of Roger and Eleanor Clendenin; Josie Kattenbraker, daughter of Phil and Shannon Kattenbraker; Katie Shinabargar, daughter of Paul and Amanda Shinabargar; and Kendall Williams, daughter of Nathan and Tara Williams.

This team has gone through a year of trials and tribulations, the most difficult being the deaths of Head Coach Pat Knowles and Assistant Coach Jennifer King last spring, within weeks of each other.

Immediately following the ceremony, the entire team presented Coach Knowles' wife, Janelle, with flowers and balloons in a heartfelt and tearful ceremony.

Boys, cheerleaders honored on Friday

On Friday, Feb. 26, CHS honored two senior cheerleaders and five senior boys basketball players prior to the start of the CHS vs Zeigler-Royalton game.

As stadium announcer Luke Lochhead announced each athlete, parents joined them on center court to receive flowers and balloons.

Senior cheerleaders are Lauren Soellner, daughter of Larry and Melissa Soellner; and Kennedy Herrell, daughter of Jeff and Alisa Herrell.

Senior Yellow Jacket players are Matthew (Matt) Korando, son of John Korando and Melinda Severs; Jordan Hughes, son of Bobby Hughes and Misti Price; Eli Hughes, son of Bobby Hughes and Misti Price; Nate Heffernan, son of Michael and Joanie Heffernan; and team manager Noah Colonel, son of Steve and Sue Colonel.

Noah Colonel, and parents Steve and Sue Colonel.
Reese Chandler, and parents Jimmy Chandler and Heather Nitzsche.
Jordan and Eli Hughes, with parents Bobby Hughes and Misti Price.
Josie Kattenbraker, and parents Phil and Shannon Kattenbraker.
Katie Shinabargar, and parents Paul and Amanda Shinabargar.
Kendall Williams, and parents Nathan and Tara Williams.
Kennedy Herrell, with parents Jeff and Alisa Herrell.
Lauren Soellner, and parents Larry and Melissa Soellner.
Matthew Korando, and parents John Korando and Melinda Severs.
Peyton Clendenin, with parents Roger and Eleanor Clendenin.
Nate Heffernan, with parents Michael and Joanie Heffernan. Jim Beers photos