Teams live by the three and die by the three.

The Effingham Hearts experienced both highs and lows Friday night.

After connecting on seven shots from behind the arc in the first half, the Hearts went 0-for-15 in the second half and dropped a game they were expected to win.

The Mt. Zion Braves were behind by nine points after the first period, but then outplayed Effingham the rest of the way to post a 50-44 Apollo Conference victory at home.

“It’s uncharacteristic for us to shoot that poorly,” EHS coach Obie Farmer said. “If we hit even one of those shots in the second half, it’s quite possibly a different game. But we didn’t shoot well and we simply got outplayed.”

Drew Thompson and Parker Wolfe both hit a pair of threes and Nate Thompson added another, helping the Hearts build a 17-8 lead after eight minutes. But Mt. Zion responded with a 22-8 scoring surge in the second period to take a 30-25 lead into the locker room at intermission.

The Braves extended their lead to 42-35 after three quarters and managed to hang on for the win. Mt. Zion gave the Hearts ample opportunities. The Braves didn’t make a field goal in the final eight minutes and only converted 8 of their 16 foul shots.

But the Hearts scored just nine points in the quarter and finished with a disappointing loss.

Wolfe scored 22 points and Drew Thompson added 16 for EHS.

The Hearts dipped to 14-8 on the season and 4-3 in the Apollo. They will return to action Saturday, Feb. 8, with a game at Mahomet-Seymour.

The Effingham Lady Hearts jumped out to a quick lead Monday night, en route to a 45-37 conference road win at Taylorville.

The Lady Hearts raced to a 14-4 advantage after eight minutes and maintained their lead throughout. EHS led 24-15 at halftime and 32-25 after three periods.

Two freshmen led Effingham in scoring. Ella Niebrugge had 13 points and Annie Frost added 12.

The Lady Hearts improved to 11-12 on the season and 4-4 in the Apollo Conference. EHS will return home and play Teutopolis Friday night.

ET Sports Report

Coaches aren’t normally pleased after a loss.

Effingham’s Obie Farmer is no exception.

But after his Hearts team dropped a 61-42 decision to East St. Louis Saturday night in the championship game of the Salem Invitational Tournament, the second-year coach was not upset in the least.

“I have so much pride in this team,” Farmer admitted. “They played so hard tonight and did everything we asked them to do. Plus, their energy and effort was great. I’m just so proud of these kids.”

The Flyers, the defending Class 3A champions and currently ranked No. 7 in the 3A poll, were the heavy tourney favorites. Their speed, height – seven players 6’5” or taller on their roster, including 6’8” and 6’9” – and athleticism was unmatched in the eight-team tournament field.

But the Hearts didn’t back down and gave it everything they had.

They actually jumped out to an early lead. Drew Thompson hit a jumper to start the scoring. Nate Thompson had a basket and a free throw and Parker Wolfe connected from 3-point range. With 1:30 to play in the opening period, EHS was on top 8-2.

“I think we woke them up,” Farmer said. “I don’t think they were ready for the amount of effort they saw from our kids. But then they went on a run.”

Effingham was well represented on the Salem Invitational All-Tournament Team. Pictured (left to right) are Nick Thompson, Drew Thompson and Parker Wolfe. The Hearts defeated Mt. Vernon and Teutopolis before losing to East St. Louis in the championship game Saturday night. ET Sports Report Photo by Steve Raymond.

ET Sports Report

Obie Farmer and the Effingham Hearts have been waiting for Tate Niebrugge to have a breakout game.

The wait is now over.

Effingham’s senior guard knocked down five 3-pointers, scored a career-high 17 points and was clearly the difference in Friday night’s game.

Niebrugge’s performance helped the Hearts post a 71-55 victory over Teutopolis in a semifinal contest of the Salem Invitational Tournament.

“Tate was the difference in the game,” Coach Farmer admitted. “I don’t know if there is some kind of mental block when he is starting or not. But ever since he started coming off the bench, he’s a totally different player and shooter.

“You can see the confidence he has now in his shot,” the EHS coach added. “He was 5-for-7 from behind the arc tonight. I’ll take that every game. If he continues to shoot like that and give us a fourth scorer, that will make us especially tough.”

The win also earned Effingham a spot in the tournament championship game at 8:30 tonight (Saturday) against the East St. Louis Flyers.

The Shoes will face Carbondale in the third place contest at 5:30 p.m.