Junior High Seventh-Grade Regionals -- Jan. 24

Effingham Junior High School huddles while Coach Rod Wiethop talks with the group during regional action Saturday.

Regionals in boys seventh-grade basketball got underway with first round games Saturday.

Class 7-4A Tolono Unity Regional

Effingham took its first step towards a possible regional title by downing Tolono Unity 27-17.

The Mustangs and Tolono Unity were tied at 13-13 at halftime. Effingham then had a 5-2 edge in the third period and put the game away with a 10-2 final quarter.

Shots weren't falling for the Mustangs but they used another strong defensive effort holding Tolono Unity to only four second half points. Cameron Kalber had seven points and four steals while Kyle Pemberton led in rebounds with seven.

In the opening contest, Mattoon bounced Danville South View 50-26. Mattoon faces Charleston at 6 p.m. today. Effingham takes on Danville North Ridge at 7:15 p.m.  The winners advance to the regional title contest Wednesdasy at 6.

Tolono Unity Regional

Tolono Unity          4    9    2       2    --    17

Effingham               6    7    5    10    --    27

(Effingham linescore adds up to 28 while 27 listed as final)

Tolono Unity -- Routh 8, Sappenfield 1, Steele 4, Ewerks 4

Effingham -- Niebrugge 3 (1 steal), Siner (3 rebounds), Thompson 4 (3 rebounds), Kalber 7 (1 rebound, 4 steals), Nohren 3 (4 rebounds), Pemberton 4 (7 rebounds, 1 steal), Cramsey (3 rebounds), Waldhoff (1 steal), Snow 6 (1 rebound), Donsbach (1 rebound), Utz (1 rebound)

Effingham Junior High School defenders attempt to hold off a Tolono Unity player.

The Mustangs work on defense during action at the Class 7-4A Tolono Unity Regional Saturday.

Class 7-1A Palestine Regional

Effingham Sacred Heart and Hutsonville advanced from first round competition. The Shamrocks handed host Palestine a 36-29 loss.

In the second game, Hutsonville won over Martinsville 47-21.

Sacred Heart now faces Newton St. Thomas at 6 p.m. Tuesday while Hutsonville squares off against Sigel St. Michael at 7:15 p.m.

Class 7-1A Mulberry Grove Regional

Only one game was contested Saturday. Pana Sacred Heart picked up a 39-23 win over Pocahontas.

Pana Sacred Heart advances to face Mulberry Grove at 6 p.m. Tuesday. In tonight's contests, Windsor takes on Sorento at 6 p.m. followed by Stewardson-Strasburg against Beecher City at 7:30.

Class 7-2A Effingham St. Anthony Regional

Dieterich and St. Elmo/Brownstown claimed wins Saturday.

Dieterich downed Oblong 35-12. St. Elmo/Brownstown edged Neoga 37-34.

Dieterich now faces St. Anthony at 6 p.m. Tuesday while St. Elmo/Brownstown squares off against Altamont at 7:15 p.m.

Class 7-2A Assumption Central A&M

No games were contested Saturday in this one. Games tonight feature Raymond-Lincolnwood against Ramsey at 6 followed by Cowden-Herrick taking on Findlay Okaw Valley at 7:15 p.m.

Class 7-3A Sullivan Regional

This regional opens tonight. Shelbyville Moulton will face Arthur at 6 p.m. followed by Blue Mound Meridian against Sullivan at 7:15.

Class 7-3A Casey-Westfield Regional

Jasper County advanced with a 39-29 win over Red Hill (Bridgeport). Jasper County will now take on Marshall tonight at 6.

Schafer led Jasper County with 15 points while Tharp added nine.

In the second contest, Robinson Nuttall trounced Cumberland 44-14. The third game went to Lawrenceville Parkview over Casey-Westfield 42-15.

Robinson Nuttall and Lawrenceville Parkview face each other tonight at 7:15.

Casey-Westfield Regional

Jasper County          13    6    7    12    --    39

Red Hill                        6    8    5    10    --    29

(Jasper County linescore adds up to 38 while 39 listed as final)

Jasper COunty -- Marble 6, Stanley 7, Tharp 9, Schafer 15 (players add up to 37 while 39 listed as final)

Red Hill -- Volkman 1, Benson 2, Garthar 2, Cavins 9, Shoulders 15