Averie Wolfe and Saige Althoff combined to score 16 first-quarter points Wednesday, helping the Effingham Lady Hearts build an early double-digit lead, en route to a lopsided 56-18 victory over Flora in the second round of the Bob Kerans Thanksgiving Tournament in Newton.

Wolfe knocked down a pair of three-pointers and scored 10 points, while Althoff added six more, as the Lady Hearts raced to a 24-1 lead after eight minutes of play. By halftime, the margin had expanded to 40-4.

Wolfe finished with 15 points to pace Effingham, while Althoff and Alyssa Martin both scored 10.

The Lady Hearts, now 4-0 overall, will play for the tournament championship Friday. They will face Newton at 1:30 p.m. Both teams are 2-0 in tourney play.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

For the first 11 minutes, things were looking pretty good for the Effingham Flaming Hearts.

They were hitting shots and taking care of the basketball.

With 5:03 to play in the second quarter, the Hearts held a 21-19 advantage.

But then things changed – and changed quickly.

Their shooting turned ice cold and the turnovers began piling up.

Belleville East took advantage, running off 13 straight points to open a double-digit lead and never looked back.

The Lancers, making their first-ever appearance in the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament, made their initial game a memorable one, rolling to a 71-35 victory Tuesday night.

“The kids were excited about playing and getting the season going,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “We handled their pressure pretty well early. But when they turned up the pressure, we struggled.

“You have to realize, except for a couple guys, the last time these kids played, it was in a fresh-soph or junior varsity game,” Farmer added. “They’re still learning and they will get better. They have to handle the ball better and adjust to the physicality of a varsity game. But these are tough kids that have a willingness to work. This is important to them.”

The first 11 minutes were as close as a game could possibly be. The largest lead during that time was only two points and the lead switched hands seven times.

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Rantoul used a 22-14 scoring surge in the final eight minutes Wednesday night to pull away and post a 63-51 victory over Effingham in St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament action.

The Eagles held a slim 41-37 advantage heading into the fourth period. DJ Davis scored nine points and Tyler Merrill added seven more, helping Rantoul secure the win. The pair combined to go 9-for-9 from the foul line down the stretch.

The Hearts held a 13-12 lead after the opening quarter, but were outscored 15-7 in the second period and trailed 27-20 at intermission. Cannon Bockhorn then scored eight points in the third quarter, helping Effingham close to within four points.

Bockhorn finished with 17 points to pace the Hearts, while KJ Kellams added 12.

Effingham, now 0-2, will return to action Friday night against cross-town rival St. Anthony. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Averie Wolfe knocked down six three-pointers and scored 23 points Monday night, helping the Effingham Lady Hearts post a 67-57 win over Altamont in an opening-round game of the Bob Kerans Thanksgiving Tournament in Newton.

Wolfe connected on four shots from behind the arc in the opening eight minutes, but Altamont’s Grace Nelson countered with 14 points, as the Lady Indians grabbed a 15-14 lead.

But the Lady Hearts barrage from long range continued in the second quarter. Bria Beals hit a pair, and Bella Austin and Wolfe each made one, sparking Effingham to a 22-6 scoring spree that opened a 36-21 margin at intermission.

After being held scoreless in the second period, Nelson scored 25 of her team’s 36 second-half points. She had 14 in the third quarter and the Lady Indians got within 10 points, 48-38.

Nelson had 11 more in the final period, but Alyssa Martin and Wolfe both scored eight points, helping the Lady Hearts maintain the double-digit lead.

Wolfe finished with 23 points to lead EHS. Martin scored 15, all in the second half, and Sidney Donaldson added 11. Effingham finished with 10 three-pointers. Nelson ended with 39 points for the Lady Indians. She made five shots from behind the arc and was 8-for-8 from the foul line.

The Lady Hearts are now 3-0 on the season. They will return to tournament action Wednesday, facing Flora at 6 p.m. They will then play Newton at 1:30 p.m. Friday.