The game was close throughout, but the Effingham Hearts just couldn’t seem to get the lead.
Until the final 40 seconds.
Armando Estrada and Jett Volpi both scored key baskets in the final minute, helping the Hearts snap a seven-game skid and advance to the quarterfinals of the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic with a 50-47 win Tuesday night over Dixon.
The Dukes built a 17-11 lead after the first eight minutes, but it was a two, three, four point game the rest of the way. Dixon led 25-23 at halftime and still held a slim 35-34 edge heading into the fourth period.
The Dukes were up 47-46 as the clock ticked under one minute to play. A three-point attempt by Ethan Ritz was off target, but when Dixon tried to save the ball from going out-of-bounds, it went right to Estrada, who scored to put EHS on top.
“After a timeout, Dixon then tried to run a set play and get the ball to No. 15 (Jacob Gaither),” Effingham coach Obie Farmer explained. “Ritz made a heads-up play, deflecting the ball away and causing a jump ball.”
That came with 10 seconds to play and the possession award pointed to the Hearts. On the ensuing in-bounds play, Andrew Splechter flashed down the sideline and got the ball. It was knocked away, however, and headed for the baseline.
“Andrew made a diving play and saved it right to Volpi, who put it in for two points,” Farmer said.
That came with five seconds left. Dixon got off a final desperation three, but it failed to connect.
“The kids played really hard tonight,” Farmer said. “We played team basketball. We kept the game at a comfortable pace and took care of the ball. I was really proud of our effort.”
The 8th annual Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic opened with eight games Monday.
Here’s a brief recap of those contests.
Game 1
Lincoln-Way East 53; Pleasant Plains 43
The Lincoln-Way Griffins outscored Pleasant Plains 23-13 in the middle two quarters and came away with a 53-43 victory in the first game at Teutopolis High School.
The Cardinals led 16-13 after the opening eight minutes, but the Griffins came back to lead 26-23 at halftime. The half ended with a nice back-door play that culminated with a thunderous dunk by Pleasant Plains’ Zach Powell.
Tylon Toliver led LWE with a game-high 21 points, while Kyle Olagbegi added 16. Powell led Pleasant Plains with 19.
Pleasant Plains will play Champaign Centennial at 9 a.m. today (Wednesday).
Lincoln-Way East will face St. Anthony at 1:30 p.m.
Both games are at Teutopolis High School.
By Steve Raymond
News Report Staff
Overall, Christmas basketball tournaments are struggling.
They are experiencing difficulties attracting schools and spectators.
Some have had to resort to adding junior varsity teams to complete their tournament field.
Some draw so few fans, you wonder how they can afford to turn on the lights or hire officials.
An exception to that is the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic.
What started as an eight-team event has grown into a 16-team field and other schools have already contacted the tournament committee about getting involved. Where other tournaments can’t fill their brackets, there is a waiting list here.
How is that possible?
That’s easy to answer.
It’s a combination of cooperation, determination, local support and the overwhelming love of basketball that exists here.
As a result, the 8th annual Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Classic will return after a year’s hiatus due to COVID. This year’s event will be played Tuesday thru Thursday, Dec. 28-30. Games will be played at both Effingham High School and Teutopolis High School.
“I can’t wait for that first game on the 28th,” said Mike Wilson, a member of the tournament committee. “It will be great to have so many of the teams back. I think we could see some of our best crowds ever this year.”
In addition to the two host schools, this year’s field will include Belvidere, Charleston, Champaign Centennial, Chicago Brooks, Dixon, Effingham St. Anthony, Horizon Science Academy, Knoxville, Lincoln-Way East, Lutheran North, Mattoon, Newton, Oak Lawn and Pleasant Plains (head coach is former Teutopolis standout Kyle Weber).
Champaign St. Thomas More was originally in the tournament field, but COVID issues forced the Sabres to drop out this week. The Knoxville Blue Bullets were receptive to competing and took St. Thomas More’s spot.
The third quarter made the difference.
The Tri-County Lady Titans went on a 16-6 run in the third quarter, sparking the No. 7 ranked Class 1A team to a 47-43 win over Effingham in an opening-round game Tuesday of the Charleston Holiday Tournament.
The Lady Hearts fell behind 17-13 after the initial eight minutes, but used a 14-2 scoring outburst in the second quarter to build a 27-19 lead at halftime.
But Bella Dudley knocked down three three-pointers and scored nine of her game-high 21 points in the third quarter to spark the Lady Titans comeback. Effingham played tough throughout, but Tri-County made 10-of-16 free throws in the final period to secure the victory.
The free throw line played a pivotal role. The Lady Titans were 16-of-25, while the Lady Hearts were 6-for-10.
Meredith Schaefer led EHS with 19 points, while Ella Niebrugge scored 11.
The Lady Hearts dipped to 9-4 overall. They will play two games today (Wednesday). They will face Teutopolis at 2 p.m. and then play Charleston at 6 p.m.
The 8th annual Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic will be another good one.
The 2021 field will feature 16 quality basketball teams and some outstanding individual players that should provide plenty of offensive fireworks, vital defensive stops and three days of non-stop competitive action.
Following is a brief look at the teams that will be competing in this year’s tournament.
Belvidere Bucs
The Bucs are one of five schools that will be making their first appearance in the holiday tournament.
Head coach Brian Koehne will bring in a young team with two sophomores in the starting lineup. One of those sophomores – 5’10” point guard Jason Dean – was recently named to the Strombom Thanksgiving All-Tournament team.
Other players to watch for Belvidere are 6’2” senior forward Byron West and 6’6” junior forward Ryan Beaudet. West returns after missing all of last year due to injury. He averaged 11 points a game as a sophomore. In the Thanksgiving tournament, he averaged 7 points and 12 rebounds.
Koehne said this will be an important year for his young players to gain valuable experience and move the program forward.
The Bucs are part of the NIC-10 Conference.
Champaign Centennial Chargers
Head Coach Tim Lavin says solid team defense and the ability to share the ball to create good open shots will be a key for his squad this season.
He welcomed back Trae Warren, a 6’2” guard that averaged 12.5 points and 3 rebounds per game a year ago, plus Jack Young, a 6’5” forward that averaged 11.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.
The Chargers, who play in the Big 12 Conference, will be making their second appearance in the tournament. They went 2-2 and finished fourth in 2019, dropping a 69-64 double overtime decision in the third place contest.
Charleston Trojans
The Trojans have been part of the tournament since its inception and will be making their eighth appearance.
Head coach Cody Drone returns three players that averaged in double figures a year ago. Jaksen Braun, a 6’5” senior forward, nearly averaged a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds a game. Grady Smitley, a 6’1” senior guard, averaged 12 points and 3 assists; while 6’2” junior guard William Applegate scored at a 15-point clip.
Coach Drone said he has plenty of shooters and scoring options, plus his team has athleticism and likes playing in transition. The key to the season, however, will be defending consistently for four quarters and not letting up on the defensive end.
“We need to learn to play together on both sides of the floor,” the coach said.
Charleston plays in the Apollo Conference.
Chicago Brooks Eagles
The Eagles will be making their sixth trip to the tournament.
Once again, they will bring a quick and athletic team that likes to pressure the basketball and play at an up-tempo. The top returning player is Tim Taiwo.
Chicago Brooks is coached by George Montgomery, the former Illinois standout and fan favorite. He said the Eagles “play a team game, meaning we play together well, both offensively and defensively.”
The Eagles play in the Red South Conference.
Page 47 of 74
