Playoff run ends for Lady Jackets

Lady Jacket Kat Knox dribbles around a Lady Pirate defender in their bi-district loss to Wells on Monday. JANA RAYBURN | TCB

By Jana Rayburn

The season ended for the Lady Jackets on Monday, Feb. 14, with a 33-63 loss to the Wells Lady Pirates.  Trinity Jerkins ended the night with 10 points.  Lily Read had eight points, Kyli Handley scored six points, Kat Knox had four points, Sydney Brock scored three points, and Emma Grimes scored two points.  The Lady Jackets were the third-place team in their district. 

The Jackets split a couple of games this week, as they near the end of the season.  The boys traveled to Chireno last Tuesday, February 8 and lost to the Owls.  Jack Rayburn scored seven points, Rick Carlton scored five points, Keighen Green scored four points, and Luke Read scored two points. 

The Jackets won big over the High Island Cardinals last Friday, Feb. 11 by a score of 69-13.  Jack Rayburn had a big night with 8 three-pointers and 28 points overall.  Keighen Green scored nine points, Luke Read scored eight points, and both Bradley Davison, Carson Thomson scored six points, and Kaighnen Green scored four points.  Also scoring for the Jackets were Rick Carlton, Jaxson Hilliard, and Cutter Lowe all scored two points and Jeff Knox scored a free throw.

Both the junior high boys and girls competed in a basketball tournament in Colmesneil on Saturday, Feb. 12.  Both teams ended the tournament with third place finishes.  This tournament concluded basketball season for the teams. 

Lady Jackets scrimmage Crockett

The Lady Jackets scrimmaged Crockett last week in Chester.  Coach Marty Thompson said the girls played well against the Lady Bulldogs.  Audrey Gilzow sent one over the fence for the Lady Jackets.  Both Olivia Gilzow and Kaylee Tolar pitched, and both did a good job.  The Lady Jackets played a couple of scrimmages in Woodville on Friday, Feb. 11.  The Lady Jackets played against Woodville and Central Heights.  The girls did a good job in both games.  Audrey Gilzow had a double play and caught a hard-hit line drive. 

The Lady Jackets will have a little break this week but will be back in action on Feb. 24-26 in the Kountze tournament.  Opponents and game times will be announced next week.    

Baseball gearing up in ‘Jacket Country

Baseball season is finally upon us, and no one is more excited than Coach Coleman Butter, who is in his first year as Head Baseball Coach for the Jackets.  “The kids are eager and ready to start playing. We have lots of returners and some young kids coming in that are going to help right away,” says Butter. Butter is looking for the returning guys to lead the team. Peanut Fann, Luke Read, Jack Rayburn, Carson Thomson, Zayne Barnhart and Cole Clarke are all returning starters. Butter will also lean on Carsyn Whitworth and Colton Pursley throughout the year. Butter believes this is going to be a different team and the beginning of a new era for Chester Baseball. Butter added, “I’m excited about it all. We will be playing at updated facilities and looking to turn heads this season”. Coach Butter has a full schedule for his team lined out, and several games for the junior varsity team.

The Yellowjackets will kick off their season with a game against the West Hardin Oilers on Tuesday, Feb. 22 in Chester at Alex Johnson Memorial Field at 4 p.m.