Nate Thompson hit a jumper, Jacob Stoneburner added a basket and Tate Niebrugge and Parker Wolfe each made two foul shots to tie the game, 53-53, at the 1:20 mark.

Drew Thompson then put the Hearts on top to stay with a three-point play with 52 seconds still remaining, and eight seconds later, he added two free throws to cap the 15-point scoring spree and give EHS a 58-53 advantage.

A three-point play by Mattoon’s Sam Bradbury cut the margin to 58-56, but Wolfe and Drew Thompson converted 6-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final 29 seconds to seal the improbable win.

“We were tired, but we found a second wind somewhere,” Farmer noted. “It was a complete 180. After Drew had that three-point play, I knew if we could just get one stop and then hit our free throws, we could win this game.

“If this wasn’t the definition of leaving it all on the court, I don’t know what is,” Farmer added.

Both teams had been handed their first loss the night before and it was obvious fatigue was playing a factor.

Effingham got a pair of 3-pointers and eight total points from Drew Thompson in the opening quarter, helping the Hearts to a slim 12-10 advantage.

Despite shooting poorly, they actually extended their lead in the second period. Parker Wolfe and Drew Thompson both connected from long range and Nate Thompson, who turned in a terrific overall performance, tallied nine points. Effingham led by as many as seven on three occasions, and took a five-point bulge, 31-26, to the locker room at intermission.

The Green Wave immediately responded in the third quarter. They scored the first 10 points to take a 36-31 lead. Mattoon led by seven once, but late baskets by Wolfe and Nate Thompson got the Hearts to within 44-39 heading into the final eight minutes.

After Wolfe hit a jumper to open the final period, the Green Wave went on a 9-2 surge. When Mason Wright made a 3-pointer from the top of the circle, Mattoon had its double-digit advantage, 53-43, setting the stage for Effingham’s comeback.

“After the game, we talked about some things in the locker room,” Farmer noted. “I told the boys, ‘Imagine if you played with that type of intensity the entire game. We wouldn’t have been in that situation.’ But for them to turn it around like they did is a great sign. I’m very proud of their effort.”

Effingham made just 14-of-42 shots through three periods and finished 19-for-52, a 37 percent clip. They were 4-of-19 from three-point range, but made 22-of-30 foul shots.

“Making that many free throws wasn’t something I was sure would happen,” Farmer admitted. “When you’re that tired, it can affect your free throw shooting. But they stepped up and came through in the big moments.”

Once again, the Hearts scoring attack was led by Nate Thompson, Drew Thompson and Wolfe. Nate Thompson had a sensational game, pumping in a game-high 21 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. Drew Thompson scored 19 and Wolfe, who had 34 the previous night, added 12.

“We’re trying to get 45 points a game between the three of them,” Farmer said. “Parker had the big game Friday and Nate and Drew came through tonight. I think it’s going to be like that all year.”

Farmer was also impressed with the defensive effort turned in by Niebrugge. His defensive assignment was Mattoon’s Cam’Ron Thomas, one of the team’s leading scorers and a player name to the all-tournament team. Thomas was limited to just four points.

“Tate face-guarded him and just didn’t make any mistakes,” the EHS coach noted. “We wanted to take away at least one of their weapons and Tate did that with flying colors. He made a real difference tonight.”

The Hearts will have their home opener and Apollo Conference opener Friday night against this same Mattoon squad.