The second extra period was basically a foul-fest, resulting in 23 free throws shot in just four minutes. Both teams could have sealed the win at the line, but neither shot very well. The Annies were 7-for-13 and the Lady Hearts just 5-for-10.

After Martin scored on back-to-back possessions for EHS, the Lady Hearts owned a 58-55 lead with 1:21 to play. After trading free throws, it was still a two-point advantage, 60-58, when Centralia’s Jalea Shered went to the foul line with two shots and only seven ticks remaining.

Shered made just one of the two free throws and Averie Wolfe grabbed the rebound and was fouled three seconds later. She, too, made one foul shot, but when Shered’s last-second shot glanced off the rim, the Lady Hearts had won their first regional title since 2019 and the celebration was underway.

“What a roller-coaster ride tonight,” a happy and relieved Coach Schafer noted. “We made some great plays and some terrible plays. Thankfully, we made enough plays.”

The game was close virtually throughout. The Lady Hearts did have a double-digit lead, 22-12, late in the second quarter. But three turnovers and a couple questionable shots helped Centralia close the half on a 7-0 run and get within 22-19 at intermission.

“We let things get away from us at the end of the half,” Schafer said. “The girls were more worried about the physicality of the game and spent too much time complaining to the refs rather than just keep playing. Then we had those turnovers a couple bad shots. Rather than finishing the half and maybe even extending our lead, we didn’t do that.”

The EHS lead fluctuated between one and five points in the third quarter. Entering the final eight minutes, the Lady Hearts held a 33-29 edge.

A three-point play by Sidney Donaldson and a turnover converted into a basket by Austin increased Effingham’s margin to eight points, 38-30, at the 4:33 mark. It was a seven-point margin, 42-35, with 2:08 to play. And after a pair of free throws by Saige Althoff, it was still a five-point spread, 44-39, with only 56 seconds showing.

Centralia freshman Marley Edson then knocked down a three-pointer from the wing. Ironically, after 31½ minutes, those were the first points scored by a player other than Shered or Jasiayah Wallace in the entire game. Shered then came up with a steal and scored to knot the game at 44-44 with 21 seconds still remaining.

The Lady Hearts hoped to get off a potentially game-winning shot, but turned the ball over again with six seconds to go. Centralia was unable to shoot before the buzzer sounded, sending the game into overtime.

The Annies’ best chance to win came in the first OT. They led by three points at one time and could have secured the win in the final seconds. But they went just 2-for-6 from the foul line, giving Effingham a chance, which they took advantage of in the waning seconds, getting the steal and last-second bucket by Martin.

Prior to the game, Schafer said one of the keys was being able to contain Shered and Wallace.

“Our goal was to make them take jump shots and not let them get to the basket and just lay it in,” the EHS coach explained. “But they must have had 40 points just laying it in. We kept battling and doing the best we could, but they are both very good players. I thought they played incredible.”

Shered finished with 29 points and Wallace added 24 before fouling out with 3:18 to play in the second overtime. The Annies shot 47 percent overall, making 20-of-43 attempts. They were 2-for-12 from behind the arc and 17-for-33 at the line. They finished the season 19-10.

Donaldson had 23 points and Martin added 15, with nine of those coming in the two overtime periods. The Lady Hearts made 23-of-52 shots, a 44 percent clip. They were 3-for-13 from long range and 12-for-22 at the line.

Now it’s on to the sectional, which will be played at Effingham High School. The Lady Hearts will face either Mt. Vernon or East St. Louis at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“This was one of our goals from the beginning of the season,” said Donaldson, who had the big offensive game for the Lady Hearts. “We won a regional in volleyball and wanted one in basketball, too. We were nervous at times tonight, but we pulled it out at the end.”

“This is what I was hoping for,” added Austin, who transferred to EHS from Vandalia this season. “This means a lot to me. I love playing with these girls. We came together as a team because we trust each other. I think we can go even further. We’re going to give everything we have and leave it on the floor.”

The Lady Hearts extended their winning streak to 12 and improved to 28-4 overall.

“This team never quits,” Schafer notes. “They have a trust and belief in our program and in each other. I know it won’t get any easier, but it’s exciting to play the sectional at our place. We’re very excited about that.”