Scorching Hot Hearts Down Charleston

The Effingham Hearts scorched the nets in defeating the Charleston Trojans at Charleston in boys high school basketball Friday night, 76-60.  The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Hearts made 67% of their shots from the field, 35 of 52.  In the second half, Effingham made 19 of 26 shots, or 73%.  That followed a 16 for 26 first half, or 62%.

Effingham outscored Charleston 15-10 in the first quarter and outpointed the Trojans 18-16 in the second period to lead at halftime 33-26.  The third quarter was the difference, as Effingham made 10 of 13 shots and outscored Charleston 22-11 in the period to take a 55-37 lead.  The Hearts at one point led the game by 22 points.  Charleston outscored the Hearts 23-21 in the fourth quarter.

In addition to the great shooting from the field, Effingham made six of eight foul shots, committed 14 turnovers and pulled down 30 rebounds.  The Hearts only tried two three-point shots and missed them.

Charleston made just 21 of 58 shots for 36%.  They were 14 of 44 in the first three quarters.  The Trojans had a woeful performance from the foul line, making just 11 of 23 tries.  Charleston turned the ball over 16 times, grabbed 31 rebounds, and made seven of 19 three-point tries.

Hunter Keith and Clark Williamson shared scoring honors for the Hearts with 18 points apiece.  Williamson scored all 18 of his points in the second half.  Williamson was nine of 11 from the field, Keith eight of 11.  Leighton Lark hit seven of 10 shots and finished with 14 points.  Also for Effingham: Alex Carie and Tim Gardewine nine points each, and Trenton Frey and Kennan Mahaffey four points apiece. 

Ethan Miller paced Charleston with 18 points while twin brother Noah Miller scored 12 points.

Effingham improved to 4-1 on the season in the Apollo Conference opener for both teams.  Charleston is now 3-2.

Effingham won the JV game 55-27 in their first game of the season.  Isaac Foreman scored 13 points for the Hearts, while Kennan Mahaffey scored nine points and Michael Carie had eight points.

The Hearts are back in action next Friday night for their home opener, hosting Mattoon.  Hear the game on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

VARSITY--Effingham 76, Charleston 60

Effingham--Alex Carie--4 1-2 9, Kennan Mahaffey 2 0-0 4, Leighton Lark 7 0-0 14, Trenton Frey 1 2-2 4, Hunter Keith 8 2-4 18, Clark Williamson 9 0-0 18, Tim Gardewine 4 1-1 9, also playing: Marcus Robinson, Phil Knight, Matt Wohltman, Isaac Foreman

Charleston--Gowin 2 0-0 6, Hellman 3 2-2 9, Winnett 1 1-2 3, Steidl 2 3-4 9, E. Miller 7 2-8 18, Wilson 1-2 1, N. Miller 5 2-5 12, McInerney 1 0-0 2

JV--Effingham 55, Charleston 27

Effingham--M. Carie 3 2-2 8, Bone 3 0-1 6, Robinson 2 0-0 4, Hayes 1 0-2 2, Wohltman 3 0-0 6, Mahaffey 4 1-2 9, A. Knight 2 1-2 5, Arndt 1 0-0 2, Foreman 6 1-2 13

Charleston--Huddlestun 1 0-1 3, Barker 3 0-0 8, McInerney 3 1-2 9, Brown 2 0-0 4, Smith 1 1-4 3