Hearts Down Green Wave; Bulldogs Have Happy Homecoming (ADD'L BULLDOGS INFO)

When you shoot 60% from the field, you usually win ballgames.  That was the case for the Effingham Hearts Friday night as they defeated the Mattoon Green Wave 53-39 in the Hearts' home opener at EHS Gym.  The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The game was last tied at 4-4 when the Hearts started to roll and led 14-9 at the end of the first quarter.  Effingham outpointed the Wave 18-10 in the second quarter and led 32-19 at halftime.  The second half was a bit of a struggle at times, but Effingham outscored Mattoon 11-9 in the third period to lead 43-28 and pushed the advantage to 17 before finishing with the 14-point win.

Effingham hit on 21 of 35 shots for the 60% average.  The Hearts made seven of 10 foul shots, turned the ball over just 11 times and pulled down 17 rebounds while making four of 12 three-point tries.

The Hearts' defense held Mattoon to 14 of 41 shooting for 34%.  Mattoon made 10 of 13 foul shots, committed just nine turnovers and also grabbed 17 rebounds while making just one of 11 three-point shots.

Tim Gardewine came off the bench to lead Effingham in scoring with 12 points on five-of-five shooting.  Alex Carie scored 10 points and made two threes.  In his first game of the season, Jake Stombaugh scored nine points and grabbed five rebounds.  Hunter Keith scored seven points and played his usual reliable floor game.  Also for the Hearts: Leighton Lark and Phil Knight each scored four points, Josh Stombaugh played his first game of the season and celebrated by hitting a three-pointer and grabbed three rebounds.  Clark Williamson and Trenton Frey each scored two points and Kennan Mahaffey saw action.

Michael White led Mattoon with 11 points and Ryan Sparks scored 10 points.

The Hearts won their fifth straight after a two-point season-opening loss.  After winning their opener, Mattoon has lost five straight games.

Effingham won the JV game 60-36.  Kennan Mahaffey led Effingham with 12 points, Philip Knight scored nine and Kevin Daugherty added eight points.

Effingham heads to Teutopolis Tuesday night to take on the Wooden Shoes, a game we'll have on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

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The St. Anthony Bulldogs had a happy Homecoming and posted their second win of the week, downing St. Elmo Friday night 55-44 at the Enlow Center.

The Bulldogs added to a 29-24 halftime lead by outscoring the Eagles 14-6 in the third period to take a 43-30 lead.  St. Elmo responded by outscoring the Bulldogs 14-12 in the final quarter but the Bulldogs still came away with the 11-point win.

Jake Schuette and John Goeckner shared scoring honors for St. Anthony with 17 points apiece.  Neil Williams scored nine points including the Bulldogs' only three-pointer of the game and Alex Hoelscher scored eight points.  Zach Gardewine and Andrew Gardewine each scored two points.

Levi Maxey paced St. Elmo with 17 points while Garrett Bartels added 12 points.  The Eagles got seven points from Connor Beasley, six points from Reece Wells and two points from Ben Davis.

St. Anthony has won two straight after starting with four losses in their Thanksgiving tournament, and is 2-0 in National Trail Conference action.  St. Elmo is now 3-2 on the season, 2-2 in the conference.

St. Anthony won the JV game 57-27.  Matt Gibson led the JV Bulldogs with 22 points.  Also for the JV: Rios 8, Grunloh 6, Martelli 5, Greene 4, Puckett 3, Bourgeois, Hartke, Ja. Niebrugge and Je. Niebrugge 2 each, Lorenz 1.  The St. Anthony JV squad is 2-0.

During ceremonies between the JV and varsity games, Charlie Schultz was crowned the St. Anthony Homecoming King and Claire Willenborg was named the Homecoming Queen.