Hearts Open Season on Winning Note, CG/Bement Tourney

The Effingham Hearts began the 2017-18 season on a winning note Tuesday night, downing the Highland Bulldogs 61-38. The game at the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. It was the Hearts' first game under new varsity coach Rem Woodruff.

The Hearts started a little slowly, but held a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Highland pulled within two, but the Hearts rebounded to lead 21-14 at halftime.

The second half was a different story, as Effingham outscored Highland 40-24 after intermission.

Effingham shot 50% from the field, hitting 23 of 46 shots including 7 of 18 threes. The Hearts were 8 of 12 from the line, pulled down 26 rebounds and committed just 10 turnovers, just six over the final three quarters.

Highland hit just 15 of 46 shots for 33%, including 4 of 16 threes. The Bulldogs made 4 of 8 foul shots, grabbed 29 rebounds, but turned the ball over 19 times.

Landon Wolfe led the way offensively for the Hearts, scoring 28 points on 11 of 20 shooting. Wolfe also grabbed nine rebounds. Ryan Sandifer scored 17 points on six of nine shooting. Mason Hull was also in double figures with 10 points with six rebounds and five assists along with numerous steals. Also scoring for the Hearts: Logan Smith 3, Cameron Kalber 2, and Clayton Cramsey 1.

Steven Torre led Highland with seven points, while three players scored six points.

Both Effingham and St. Anthony play Wednesday night at the tournament; the Hearts at 6:30pm against Okaw Valley, and the Bulldogs at 8pm against Highland. We will have both games on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament

EFFINGHAM (61)

Sandifer 6-2 -- 17, Kalber 1-0 -- 2, Hagler 0-0 -- 0, Wolfe 11-3 -- 28, Hull 4-1 -- 10, Cramsey 0-1 -- 1, Lohman 0-0 -- 0, Vasquez 0-0 -- 0, Smith 1-1 -- 3, Marxman 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 23 FG, 8 FT.

HIGHLAND (38)

Dickman 3-0 -- 6, LaPorta 2-1 -- 5, Portell 0-0 -- 0, M. Barth 1-0 -- 3, Altadonna 1-0 -- 3, Kruse 2-0 -- 6, B. Barth 3-0 -- 6, Kassay 0-0 -- , Torre 2-3 -- 7, Lammers 1-0 -- 2, Schniers 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 15 FG, 4 FT.

Effingham            12      9    19    21    --    61

Highland               4    10    12    12    --    38

3-point FG -- Effingham 7 (Sandifer 3, Wolfe 3, Hull 1), Highland 4 (Kruse 2, Altadonna 1, M. Barth 1).

At Cerro Gordo

Two games were played in the Cerro Gordo/Bement Turkey Tournament Tuesday evening.

Clinton pounded Decatur Christian 84-15 while Urbana Uni High won over Villa Grove/Heritage 64-55.

Tonight's games feature Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg against Blue Ridge at 6 followed by Cerro Gordo/Bement taking on Sangamon Valley at 7:30.