From Bob Bowser:
On Saturday, February 5th, Yellow Jackets Basketball traveled to Pinckneyville for the SIJHSAA Class S first game at State to play Meridian. The Yellow Jackets got off to a slow start and found themselves down 8-0 before rebounding behind Elliott Acree to trail Meridian 16-9. Elliott had six points in the quarter and Brendan Bowser had an old-fashioned three point play for three points. In the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets nearly doubled up Meridian and only found themselves down 22-20. Elliott Acree had six points in the quarter, Brendan Bowser hit a 3-ball for three points, and Rhett Andrews had a bucket for two points. The Yellow Jackets came out strong in the third quarter and even took the lead at 23-22, but Meridian would barely win the third quarter and lead 35-30 with seven minutes to play in the game. Free throws for the Yellow Jackets were fantastic in the third quarter, as Brendan Bowser was 2-3 and Rhett Andrews was 4-4. They each added a bucket and Brendan had four points in the quarter and Rhett had six points. In the fourth quarter, Meridian would expand their lead to as much as 12 points, but the Yellow Jackets didn't give up. Brendan Bowser had a two-point bucket and a three-ball for five points and Rhett Andrews had a bucket and two free throws for four points. In the end, Meridian defeated the Yellow Jackets 47-39 to move on to the Elite 8 of SIJHSAA Class S State Tournament. Scoring for the Yellow Jackets were: Brendan Bowser with 15 points, Elliott Acree with 12 points, and Rhett Andrews with 12 points. The boys played an outstanding game. If we could have grabbed a few more rebounds on the defensive end and put a few more of our layups/short shots in the basket, the outcome could have been different. In the end, the boys gave it their all and made it exciting and close. The Yellow Jackets finish the season 13-10 and have won 3 Regional Championships in a row. Fantastic season!!