Hearts Boys Win Opener at Centralia

The Effingham Hearts claimed their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter and then held on for a 46-43 win over the Alton Redbirds at the Centralia Boys Holiday Tournament.  The game Thursday was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

The Hearts had early turnover troubles and made just three of eight shots in the first quarter to fall behind 14-6 at the end of the period.  Effingham bounced back, though, to outscore the Redbirds 13-11 in the second quarter to pull within 25-19 at halftime.  The Hearts outpointed Alton 12-7 in the third quarter and were within one at 32-31 at the end of the period. 

Effingham then scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to build a 41-32 lead before Alton recovered.  The Redbirds had one more run in them and pulled to within one before Effingham scored to take the 46-43 final lead.  Alton tried a halfcourt shot at the buzzer but it missed to the right and the Hearts had the comeback win.

Effingham made 19 of 40 shots, hit five of nine foul shots, committed 17 turnovers but just six in the second half, and grabbed 29 rebounds while making four of 11 three-point shots.  Alton made 37% of its shots, hit 10 of 15 from the line, turned the ball over 12 times and pulled down 22 rebounds while making five of 11 three-point tries.

Clark Williamson led Effingham with 12 points on six of 10 shooting.  Josh Stombaugh added 11 points including three three-pointers.  Also for Effingham: Hunter Keith eight while typically being double-teamed at the point guard spot and grabbing seven rebounds, Leighton Lark five, Trenton Frey four while taking two charging fouls, Jake Stombaugh three with eight rebounds and four assists, Tim Gardewine two and Alex Carie one.

Abasa Brown with 12 points and Carlos Anderson with 10 led Alton.

The Hearts are now 7-2 on the season and advance to action Friday at 2pm against Cahokia.  Alton is now 5-5 and will play Champaign Central Friday at 10am.

Other scores from Centralia:

Belleville West 72, Salem 39

Oak Lawn Richards 47, Mt. Vernon 44

Cahokia 72, Champaign Central 54

McCluer North 50, Memphis Raleigh-Egypt 40

Chicago Marist 56, O'Fallon 44

Centralia 47, Burbank St. Laurence 32

Jacksonville 89, Blue Island Eisenhower 55