Highland Edges Effingham For Girls Sectional Title

Highland edged out to a 7-4 opening quarter lead as neither team shot very well. The Bulldogs were three of 13 from the field while Effingham was two of 13.

Alyssa Martin had all four of Effingham's points hitting two baskets.

The Bulldogs continued on with a 15-7 second period to lead 22-11 at halftime. Highland got on track from the field, connecting on six of 10, three of those from beyond the arc.

The Hearts were still struggling with two of nine shots and finished hitting only 18 percent from the field in the first half.

Sidney Donaldson connected for a three-pointer and two free throws and Martin added a basket.

EHS then got on track with a 14-7 third period run to pull within 29-25 going into the final quarter. Martin went on a tear with three baskets and a free throw for seven points while Bella Austin hit a basket and two free throws and Bria Beals three points.

The Hearts continued on with a 6-5 final quarter to pull within three points. A three-pointer at the buzzer, that could have tied the game, failed to connect.

Martin led the way for EHS with 13 points on six field goals and one free throw. Donaldson added eight points. Martin had seven assists. Averie Wolf led in rebounds with four.

EHS finished with 25 percent from the field in the contest and hit 57 percent from the free throw line.

Highland hit 31 percent from the field and 44 percent at the line. The Bulldogs were led by Larissa Taylor with nine points and Jordan Bircher with eight.

Highland advances with a 26-10 record to its own Class 3A Super-Sectional Monday and will face the winner of the Decatur MacArthur Sectional. Chatham Glenwood edged Quincy Notre Dame, 44-43.

In other sectional championships, Grayslake Central won over Arlington Heights St. Viator 58-52, Lincoln downed Morton 61-30, Darien Hinsdale South beat Burbank St. Lauren 42-29, Dixon defeated Maple Park Kaneland 45-36 and Lombard Montiini downed River Forest Trinity 69-40.

Monday's super-sectionals have Darien Hinsdale South against Chicago Heights Marian, Lincoln vs. Dixon and Grayslake Central taking on Lombard Montini.

The Hearts finished the season with a 29-5 record as Coach Jeff Schafer was only two victories away from reaching 500 for his coaching career.

Class 3A Effingham Sectional

Championship

EFFINGHAM (31)

Martin 6-1 -- 13, Wolfe 1-0 -- 2, Althoff 0-0 -- 0, Donaldson 2-3 -- 8, Austin 1-2 -- 4, Beals 1-2 -- 4, Moser 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 11 FG, 8 FT.

HIGHLAND (34)

Maas 2-2 -- 6, Bircher 3-1 -- 8, Schutlz 2-0 -- 4, Fleming 0-1 -- 1, Taylor 3-0 -- 9, Frey 1-1 -- 3, Schroeder 1-0 -- 3. TOTALS 13 FG, 4 FT.

Effingham               4      7    14    6    --    31

Highland                 7    15      7    5    --    34

3-point FG -- Effingham 1 (Donaldson 1), Highland 4 (Bircher 1, Taylor 1, Frey 1, Schroeder 1).