“We decided we wanted to try to shut down their inside game, which we did,” Farmer noted. “But when you get something, you also give something. We defended well inside, but left them open on the outside and they knocked down their perimeter shots. You can’t take everything away.”

It didn’t take long for the Hearts to take total control in the second half. Parker Wolfe connected on two more from behind the arc, but it was Nate Thompson who broke out. He hit 6-of-8 shots and scored 14 points in the quarter. EHS led by as many as 22 points and was still comfortably in front, 57-39, heading into the final eight minutes.

“At halftime, we talked about establishing ourselves inside,” Farmer explained. “Nate had been forcing things a little. When your shot isn’t falling, you can get frustrated. We told him to start using a head fake and putting the ball off the glass. It seemed to help.”

The Braves got within 15 points on the opening possession of the final period and the Hearts enjoyed their biggest lead at 23 points before settling for the 20-point victory.

For the second game in a row, Parker Wolfe cracked the 30-point plateau. After pumping in 33 the night before in the 62-61 loss to Mahomet-Seymour, the senior poured in 36 more against Mt. Zion. Thompson finished with an impressive double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 16 rebounds. Garrett Wolfe was also in double figures with 12 points.

The Hearts improved to 11-1 overall and 8-1 in the Apollo Conference. They have two key league games ahead this week --Tuesday at Teutopolis; and Friday at Lincoln.

Effingham currently leads the conference with an 8-1 record. Lincoln, which knocked off Mahomet-Seymour 36-32 Saturday, is in second place at 7-2. Mahomet-Seymour, Mattoon and Teutopolis each have three losses.

“These next two games are going to be huge,” Farmer admitted.