KJ Kellams broke the Hearts scoring drought with a bucket at the 3:16 mark and Cannon Bockhorn hit a three. But Centralia drilled three more shots from behind the arc and took a 48-12 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The margin expanded to 41 points, 59-18, before Effingham closed the third period on an 11-0 run of its own. Freshman Jenner Pals hit a pair of shots, one from three-point range, Bockhorn also connected for a three and Kellams closed the quarter with a drive that resulted in a three-point play.
Heading into the final quarter, Centralia owned a 59-29 edge.
Goewey made three shots from long range and led all scorers with 16 points, while Meier added 11 for the Orphans, who improved to 17-3. They will play Champaign Central in one semifinal game. That is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday.
Pals came off the bench and led Effingham with 11 points. Niebrugge and Bockhorn both scored six.
The Hearts fell to 6-15 on the season. They will return to Salem for two games Saturday. They will face Carbondale at 11 a.m. The winner of that game will play for the consolation championship at 4:30 p.m. The loser will play for 7th place at 3 p.m.
