EHS Falls To Mount Vernon In Girls Regional Championship

The Hearts had a poor shooting first half but came back strong in the second half only to fall short.

"You can't shoot 20% and win," said EHS Coach Jeff Schafer. "Just maybe better shooting tonight and I would have been a happy camper."

But the Hearts could muster only two of 23 from the field in the first half. They connected on only one three-point basket in the opening quarter and one regular bucket in the second period.

Although they didn't shoot well, the Hearts did stay close through the opening quarter as Mount Vernon only had a 7-5 lead. The Rams wasn't shooting all that well either with six of 24 in the first half.

Mount Vernon moved ahead 21-11 at the start of the third period on a three-pointer by Ashlyn Childers and a basket by Claire Heinzman. But the Hearts clawed back and came back within three points at the 2:05 mark as Meredith Schaefer hit a three-pointer, Sawyer Althoff two free throws and Coralin Ohnesorge two free throws. The Rams held a 27-22 lead going into the final period.

The Hearts continued to attack and again came within  four with 5:18 on the clock on a bucket by Ella Niebrugge. EHS pulled that down to three points with 1:30 on the clock when Sawyer  Althoff hit a field goal and free throw. Unfortunately, Mount Vernon took over, scoring five straight points for the win.

"We played great defense in the first half and that kept us in the game," said Schafer. "We dug in and kept coming back. We found a way to get possession to tie the game but we just couldn't get it done."

Finishing in double figures for the Hearts were Sawyer Althoff and Schaefer with 11 each. Niebrugge chipped in with nine. Schaefer led the way in rebounds with 12. The Hearts had a slight 30-27 rebounding edge.

The Hearts finished with 10 of 46 from the field and were 13 of 16 at the line.

"This group is so much fun," said Schafer. "They are one of the most coachable teams I've had. They gave me everything I've asked for."

The Hearts ended the season with a 21-11 record.

Mount Vernon advances to the Bethalto Civic Memorial Sectional Tuesday with a 24-5 record. The Rams will face host Bethalto Civic Memorial, a 60-58 winner in overtime to capture their own regional over East St. Louis.

Class 3A Effingham Regional

Championship Game

MOUNT VERNON (43)

Hayes 2-4 3-4 8, Heinzman 2-8 3-4 7, Das 1-6 0-1 2, Dees 5-10 0-0 11, Childers 4-12 0-0 9, James 2-5 2-6 6, Mount 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 16-45 FG, 8-15 FT.

EFFINGHAM (37)

Mapes 1-8 0-1 3, Saw. Althoff 2-4 7-7 11, Niebrugge 3-14 2-2 9, Schaefer 4-9 1-2 11, Allie 0-0 0-0 0, Ohnesroge 0-4 2-2 2, Sai. Althoff 0-3 0-0 0, Donaldson 0-4 1-2 1, Phillips 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 10-46 FG, 13-16 FT.

Mount Vernon            7    9    11    16    --    43

Effingham                  5    4    13    15    --    37

3-point FG -- Mount Vernon  3 (Hayes 1, Dees 1, Childers 1), Effingham 4 (Schaefer 2, Mapes 1, Niebrugge 1).