Chester High School proudly hosted the 2026 IHSA Girls’ Class 2A Sectional Basketball Tournament on February 24 and 26 at Colbert Memorial Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. The event brought together four regional champions—Benton, Breese Central, Nashville, and Massac County—for two exciting nights of high-level basketball competition.
The tournament showcased not only outstanding athletic performances but also the strong support of the Chester community. Local businesses and organizations played a key role in making the event possible through sponsorships and donations. Community partners included businesses from Chester, Benton, Nashville, Breese, Metropolis, and surrounding areas, demonstrating widespread regional support for high school athletics.
Semifinal Game 1: Breese Central 70, Benton 35
Breese Central opened the tournament with a strong second-quarter surge to defeat Benton 70-35. After leading by just one point at the end of the first quarter (13-12), the Lady Cougars pulled away by outscoring Benton 19-7 in the second quarter to take a 32-19 halftime lead. Breese Central continued to build momentum in the second half, leading to a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Taylor Trame led Breese Central with 21 points, followed by Lexy Santel with 18 and Ella Nettemeier with 14. Benton’s Kinley Glover scored 13 points.
Semifinal Game 2: Nashville 54, Massac County 26
In the second semifinal, Nashville defeated Massac County 54-26. After a close 12-7 first quarter, the Lady Hornettes took control in the second quarter with a 19-3 run, building a 31-10 halftime lead. Nashville extended its advantage in the third quarter and maintained control through the final period.
Samantha Brinkmann led Nashville with 21 points, while Kenna Hight scored 12 for Massac County.
Championship Game: Breese Central 58, Nashville 48
The championship matchup on February 26 featured two state-ranked teams and delivered an intense, competitive first half. Nashville held a slim 25-24 lead at halftime after a back-and-forth opening two quarters.
Breese Central gained momentum in the third quarter, outscoring Nashville 16-9 to take a six-point lead. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Cougars capitalized on key free throws and defensive stops to secure the 58-48 victory and the sectional title.
Lily Butler led Breese Central with 16 points, with Lexy Santel adding 14 and Taylor Trame contributing 13. For Nashville, Summer Brinkmann scored 13 points, Samantha Brinkmann added 12, and Makayla Gajewski scored 10.
With the win, Breese Central was crowned the 2026 Chester Class 2A Sectional Champion, closing out a successful tournament hosted by Chester High School and supported by the surrounding community.
