By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

It kind of defies logic.

Teams that shoot less than 30 percent and score fewer than 40 points don’t typically experience much success.

And then factor in a post player thrust into being the main ball handler.

But, somehow, the Effingham Hearts made that work.

Yes, the Hearts shot only 26 percent.

Yes, they only scored 39 points.

And, yes, forward Spencer Fox served more as a point guard.

But that combination resulted in a 39-35 win at home over Taylorville in the Apollo Conference opener for both teams.

“I was really worried about our ballhandling tonight,” EHS coach Obie Farmer admitted. “It’s been plaguing us this year. And then our point guard Wade Bushur was sick today. So, I talked to Spencer about bringing the ball up the floor and it was no problem. He did a great job.”

The Hearts had a season low 10 turnovers.

It was a nine-minute stretch in the first half that made the difference in the game.

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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.

The Effingham Lady Hearts faced a tough road challenge Thursday night, but brought home a victory.

In a close game throughout, Effingham got a balanced scoring attack, plus hit enough free throws down the stretch to earn a 65-63 win at Mt. Vernon.

EHS trailed 18-16 after the opening eight minutes, but came back to take a 35-33 lead into the locker room at intermission. Sidney Donaldson scored seven points and Averie Wolfe knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the second quarter.

The Lady Hearts increased their lead to 51-45 after three periods and then converted 8-of-14 free throws in the final quarter to secure the win.

Donaldson finished with a team-high 17 points, while Wolfe scored 14 and Bria Beals added 11. Mt. Vernon’s Melaina Zedalis led all scorers with 20 points.

Effingham, now 6-1, will play Saturday at North Clay.

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.