In a game in which they never trailed, the Perryville Pirates notched their second consecutive Chester Invitational Tournament championship with a 54-42 win over the host Yellow Jackets.
Chester stayed close throughout the game until a 10-2 scoring run early in the fourth quarter allowed Perryville to pull away for the win.
“We had a couple of missed opportunities,” said Chester coach Brad Norman. “We played hard and executed our game plan. We just couldn’t match up with their size, but I think this was our best effort of the tournament. I think our confidence is where it needs to be, and the team has the experience now to continue to improve.”
Perryville used its massive size advantage early for an 8-3 lead. Then once Chester focused on stopping the inside game, Perryville connected from long range, making three three-pointers for a 17-10 lead.
Kyle Landon had five points in the opening quarter for Chester.
Chester showed some signs of life early in the second quarter, as Landon and Caleb Arbeiter knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to close the gap to one point, 17-16.
After the early fireworks from Chester, the Yellow Jackets cooled down, making just one of their next nine shots to go along with five turnovers. Perryville ended the half with a 7-2 run and led 30-22 at the break.
Chester used its defense to fight back in the third, outscoring Perryville 10-7, to trail only 37-32 heading into the fourth quarter.
Perryville was just 3-of-11 from the floor in the third, while Chester was only slightly better at 4-of-13.
Perryville put the game out of reach early in the fourth, scoring on six of its first seven possessions for a commanding 13 point lead, 47-34.
Perryville was led by Jared Thieret’s 15 points, while 6’8 Jake Dobbelare added 12.
Arbeiter led Chester with 16 points, while Chris Schwartz and Landon each added eight.

Valle 50, Marissa-Coulterville 49
A last second three-pointer spoiled Marissa-Coulterville’s fourth quarter rally Saturday in the consolation championship of the tournament.
The Meteors trailed by nine points in the fourth quarter before going on a 13-2 scoring run to take a 49-47 lead with 18.7 seconds remaining in the game. The lead would be short-lived as Valle’s Alec Greminger drained a three-pointer for the go-ahead score with just 1.5 seconds left on the clock.
Marissa-Coulterville had time just for a desperation heave at the basket, but it was no good, as the Valle Catholic of Ste. Genevieve held on for the 50-49 victory.
It was a defensive struggle for both teams right from the start of the game. Neither team scored for nearly the first three minutes of play.
At the end of the first quarter, Marissa-Coulterville held an 8-7 lead. The Meteors were just 3-of-10 shooting in the quarter with five turnovers. Valle was also 3-of-10 with six turnovers. Austin Place led Marissa with six points in the opening frame.
Valle took control of the matchup in the second quarter hitting from long distance. The Warriors made three three-pointers in the quarter, outscoring Marissa-Coulterville 21-15 for a 28-23 halftime lead.
The Meteors turned the ball over five more times in the second quarter for a total of 10 turnovers in the first half. Joey Smith scored nine points in the second quarter to keep the Meteors close.
Behind a couple of baskets from Lucas Baird and two points from Smith, Marissa cut the deficit to three points on two occasions, but a 7-0 run by Valle increased its advantage to 11 points, 40-29.
At the end of the quarter, the Meteors trailed 43-34. Smith added six more points to his total, but Marissa shot just 5-of-14 in the quarter.
A three-pointer by Vince Greer sparked a 13-2 scoring run by the Meteors, and Smith tossed in 10 points in the quarter. Smith hit 1-of-2 free throws with 18.7 seconds left to give his team a 49-47 lead.
The end would be heartbreaking for Marissa, as Valle’s Alec Greminger drained the winning three-pointer just 1.5 seconds left on the clock.
Smith led all scorers with 25 points, while Baird added 12.
Marissa-Coulterville finished tournament play with a 1-2 record.
Chester 60 OT, Saxony Lutheran 53
Chester advanced to the championship game for the first time since 2005 after beating Saxony Lutheran 60-53 in overtime Thursday night.
The Yellow Jackets trailed 12-8 at the end of the first quarter but fought back to hold a slim 22-21 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Chester outscored Saxony Lutheran 18-16 to take a 40-37 lead into the fourth.
Saxony battled back to tie the game at the end of regulation 46-46.
In the extra session, the Jackets outscored the Crusaders 14-7 en route to the seven-point win.
Chris Schwartz scored 18 points, while Kyle Landon and Matt Heberlie each had 11 to lead the Yellow Jackets.
Marissa-Coulterville 63, Dongola 51
Joey Smith scored a game high 26 points to lead Marissa-Coulterville past Dongola 63-51 Thursday night.
The Meteors led 15-11 after the first quarter and held a 28-25 lead at halftime.
Marissa-Coulterville outscored the Demons 13-9 in the third and 22-17 in the fourth for the 12-point win.
Logan Tabor added 14, while Austin Place finished with 13 for the Meteors.
Chester 61, Marissa-Coulterville 26
Chester held Marissa-Coulterville to under 30 points in the opening round of the 50th annual Chester Invitational Tournament Tuesday night. Chester went on to cruise to a 61-26 victory.
Chester sprinted out to a 17-4 lead in the first quarter and didn’t slow down. The Jackets outscored Marissa-Coulterville 13-11 in the second and held a 30-15 lead at halftime.
The Jackets went on to outscore the Meteors 31-11 in the second half for the lopsided victory.
Matt Heberlie and Chris Schwartz each scored 12 points to lead Chester, while Kyle Landon finished with 10 points.
Joey Smith led the Meteors with 13 points, while Austin Place added six.