The Effingham Hearts turned in a pretty solid performance Saturday night, but dropped a 59-46 decision at Lincoln.
“We were patient and handled ourselves well against their press,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “We missed four point-blank layups and gave them a couple second chance opportunities. Overall, we played well, but to beat a team like Lincoln, you have to play nearly perfect.”
Andrew Donaldson connected on a pair of three-pointers and Garrett Wolfe added another from long range and the Hearts were within 15-11 after the first eight minutes. The Railsplitters then outscored the Hearts 14-5 in the second period to build a 29-16 advantage at halftime.
Both teams scored 30 points in the second half.
Wolfe finished with 18 points and Donaldson added 12 for the Hearts. Payton Cook, Lincoln’s 6’7” standout, scored a game-high 21 points to help the Railers improve to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Apollo Conference.
The Hearts dropped to 4-8 overall and 3-2 in league play. They will not play again until Wednesday, Dec. 28, when they face Highland in a first-round game of the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic. That game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Lincoln Lady Railers are not only undefeated this season, but they have been winning by an average margin of 39 points.
Led by their outstanding junior guard, Kloe Froebe, they showed why Friday night in Effingham.
The Lady Railers jumped out to a quick double-digit lead, got 29 points from Froebe and rolled to an 83-46 win over the Lady Hearts.
Lincoln is now 13-0 on the season and 5-0 in the Apollo Conference
Froebe had 11 points in the first eight minutes, helping Lincoln bolt to a 29-12 lead. It was 47-17 at intermission.
In addition to Froebe, three other players reached double figures. Becca Heitzing scored 12 points and Jenna Bowman and Tori Geriets both chipped in with 10.
Ella Niebrugge had 10 points for EHS, while Bria Beals and Madison Mapes scored nine and eight respectively.
The Lady Hearts dropped to 9-3 overall and 3-2 in league play.
Effingham will now be off until playing in the Charleston Holiday Tournament. The Lady Hearts will play two games on Monday, Dec. 26 – 3 p.m. against Tri-County; and 6 p.m. against Jacksonville.
EHS will also play two games Tuesday, Dec. 27 – 1:30 p.m. against Charleston; and 4:30 p.m. against Teutopolis; and finish tournament play Wednesday, Dec. 28 – 4:30 p.m. against Danville.
Coach Jeff Schafer is just one victory shy of setting the school record for most coaching wins. He is currently tied with Jim Maxedon at 458 victories.
The Charleston Trojans knocked down 10 three-pointers and were clutch at the free throw line Thursday night in posting a 73-58 victory at home over the Effingham Hearts.
The Trojans had four players in double figures and went 13-for-15 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to expand their lead and secure the win.
Charleston led throughout. It was 14-10 after the first eight minutes and 31-29 at halftime. The Trojans took a 50-43 advantage into the final period and then outscored the Hearts 23-15.
James Hess led the hosts with 17 points, while Will Applegate scored 16, Luke Bonnstetter 15 and Caleb Okaley added 13. Bonnstetter connected on three shots from behind the arc, while Applegate and Hess both had a pair of threes.
Garrett Wolfe had a big game for Effingham, finishing with a game-high 30 points. He had five three-pointers. Logan Heil was also in double figures with 10 points.
The Hearts dipped to 4-7 overall and 3-1 in the Apollo Conference. They will play Saturday at Lincoln.
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
Ask virtually any local or area basketball coach about Jeff Schafer and one of the comments you will hear most often is this:
“His teams are always prepared.”
According to the veteran Effingham girls coach, he got that from his high school coach – Jim Maxedon.
That characteristic served both coaches very well.
When Maxedon retired from coaching the Hearts in 1991, he had chalked up 458 wins in 24 seasons at EHS. It was, by far, the most wins any coach at the school had recorded.
Until Thursday night.
The Lady Hearts put together a terrific performance, especially over the final three quarters, and posted a convincing 65-43 victory over the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs.
The gave Schafer his 458th victory, tying him with Maxedon.
“It’s pretty cool,” Schafer admitted. “I went to school here and played for Coach Maxedon. I’ve copied him a lot through the years. His teams were always prepared to play and I’ve tried to do the same thing. I also use his practice plan. He had a big influence on me.”
It was over quick Tuesday night in Effingham.
The Lady Hearts built a 19-point lead after the first period and then held Charleston scoreless over the next two quarters, rolling to a lopsided 66-7 victory.
EHS led 24-5 after the opening eight minutes and heading into the fourth quarter, it was 63-5.
Eleven different Lady Hearts got into the scoring column. Madison Mapes led the way with 16 points and Averie Wolfe was also in double figures, finishing with 10.
The Lady Hearts improved to 8-2 on the season and are now 3-1 in league play.
For EHS coach Jeff Schafer, it was win No. 457 in his coaching career. He is now just one victory away from tying Jim Maxedon for the most wins ever by an Effingham coach. He will have a chance to tie that record Thursday night when the Lady Hearts play host to cross-town rival St. Anthony.
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