St. Anthony Claims 2A Vandalia Regional Title

VANDALIA -- The Bulldogs were all back and ready to play basketball.

Effingham St. Anthony struggled through a 48-41 win over Sullivan in Tuesday action. But in that contest, Cade Walsh sprained an ankle and the Bulldogs were playing without Brandon Runge who was out sick.

Walsh came back strong this game, starting his 73rd in a row, while  Runge returned and it was off to the races against  Shelbyville. Although the Rams took a 20-19 opening quarter lead, St. Anthony took over and led the rest of the way, finishing out with a 71-58 victory and a regional title.

"We can play seven, eight, nine or more guys," said St. Anthony Coach Cody Rincker. "I think that definitely helps when you can spell kids and Shelbyville just didn't have an answer for that. They played their five guys most of the game."

The Rams were in control through the opening quarter. Brett Spears hit three baskets, including a three-pointer, while Malcom Miller nailed two trifectas and Turner Pullen hit an old-fashioned three-pointer along with a regular basket. The Rams led by eight but St. Anthony fought back on a three-pointer by Adam Levitt and another three-pointer, this one by Walsh with a second on the clock that brought the Bulldogs within one.

Runge then knocked in a basket at the start of the second quarter and the Bulldogs pushed ahead. It was back and forth through most of the second periocd  before St. Anthony put together a mini run and led 39-35 at halftime.

The Bulldogs struggled with only nine of 21 shots in that second period but came back in the third quarter, hitting just under 50 percent to lead 54-43 going into the final quarter.

Shelbyville started having foul problems with Cade Watson fouling out in the final period. Shelbyville made it interesting pulling within seven with over three minutes remaining but St. Anthony steadied and hit seven of 12 free throws while putting in four baskets for the 17-15 edge and the winning margin.

Four of St. Anthony's five starters ended in double figures. Levitt ended with 20 points while Walsh added 15, Alex Deters 13 and Nuxoll 12. The Bulldogs finished with 51.9 percent from the field and 61.9 percent at the line. Nuxoll and Levitt pulled down six rebounds each.

Shelbyville was led by Miller with 23 and Pullen with 16. Watson and Pullen had six rebounds apiece. The Rams hit 44.4 percent from the field and 76.9 percent at the line. Shelbyville finished the season with a 21-7 record.

St. Anthony (27-3) advances to the Robinson Sectional Tuesday where the Bulldogs will face Mount Carmel, a 51-49 winner over Harrisburg in the Lawrenceville Regional.

Teutopolis will face Eldorado at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Wooden Shoes defeated Casey-Westfield, 53-42 to win the Casey-Westfield Regional.

Effingham St. Anthony fans can purchase tickets to the sectional Monday beginning at 6:30 a.m. throughout the day. Tickets are  $5.

Class 2A Vandalia Regional

Championship

SHELBYVILLE (58)

Spears 4-9 0-0 9, Miller 4-11 11-14 23, Watson 1-2 5-6 7, Pullen 6-8 4-6 16, Kull 1-5 0-0 3, Reed 0-0 -- 0, Bryant 0-0 -- 0, Vice 0-0 -- 0, Nichols 0-1 0-0 0, Lucas 0-0 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 16-36  FG (44.4) 20-26 FT (76.9)

ST. ANTHONY (71)

Walsh 6-12 2-5 15, Deters 4-10 2-2 13, Nuxoll 6-8 0-1 12, Levitt 7-12 4-5 20, Beesley 2-4 0-0 4, Ludwig 1-4 1-2 3, Dust 0-1 1-2 1, Runge 1-1 1-2 3, Wall 0-0 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 27-52 FG (51.9) 13-21 FT (61.9)

Shelbyville            20    15      8    15    --    58

St. Anthony           19    20    15    17    --    71

3-point FG -- Shelbyville 6-10 (Spears 1-1, Miller 4-6, Kull 1-3), St. Anthony 4-15 (Walsh 1-5, Deters 1-5, Nuxoll 0-1, Levitt 2-3, Beesley 0-1). Rebounds -- Shelbyville 20 (Watson 6, Pullen 6), St. Anthony 28 (Nuxoll 6, Levitt 6, Beesley 5). Turnovers -- Shelbyville 12,  St. Anthony 12.