CHESTER — The girls basketball programs from Nashville and Breese Central are very familiar with each other. Thursday marked the fifth straight postseason the teams have met and third straight sectional championship matchup. Nashville won the previous two on the way to the state championship game, including a state title last year. The Cougars made sure that would not happen again in 2026, using a big second half to win the Chester 2A Sectional championship 58-48.

Nashville, who had won the two regular season meetings between the two teams, led 25-24 at the half, but Central caught fire from three-point range in the second half, hitting 6-7 from long range to pull away for the win.

Lily Butler led the Cougars with 16 points. Lexy Santel added 14 and Taylor Trame 13. Summer Brinkmann led Nashville with 13. Samantha Brinkmann added 12 and Makayla Gajewski 10.

Central improves to 29-3 and now advances to the Benton Supersectional Monday night against 27-6 Teutopolis. Nashville finishes the season 31-3.