Lady Hearts Regional Champions

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Published on February 21 2014 9:32 pm
Last Updated on February 21 2014 9:42 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham Lady Hearts captured the championship of the Effingham 3A Regional Tournament Friday night, defeating the Salem Lady Wildcats, 43-30.  The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com.  

Effingham will advance to the Carbondale 3A Sectional Tuesday night, taking on Bethalto Civic Memorial, who defeated Highland 33-29 Friday to capture the Troy Triad Regional.  Game time Tuesday will be 8pm, as the game is the nightcap of a doubleheader.

The Lady Hearts led start-to-finish Friday, up 14-9 after one quarter and 22-13 at halftime.  Effingham pushed their lead to 17 early in the second half, but Salem began to chip away, pulling to within 32-20 after three quarters.  The Lady Wildcats got as close as five points down in the fourth period before Salem had to foul and Effingham responded by making their foul shots.

Effingham won despite having a tough shooting night, making 10 of 37 from the field for 27%.  The squad actually made more three-pointers than two-pointers, six to four.  Effingham capitalized on its chances at the line, though, making 17 of 22 free throws.  The Lady Hearts turned the ball over 13 times and grabbed 27 rebounds.

Salem made 11 of 31 shots for 35%, hit just seven of 14 foul shots, turned the ball over 13 times and pulled down 18 rebounds.

(THE FOUR SENIORS ON THE EFFINGHAM LADY HEARTS' SQUAD.  LEFT TO RIGHT: CAITLIN KAUFMAN, LAUREN STEPHENSON, JOSIE ZERRUSEN AND STEPHANIE ROBB)

Jantzen Michael led Effingham in scoring with 15 points while Josie Zerrusen scored 14 points.  Also for Effingham: Lauren Stephenson seven, Caitlin Kaufman four, Felicia Totten two and Stephanie Robb one point.

Kailey Beer led Salem with nine points.

Effingham with the victory improved to 28-3 on the season.

Congratulations, also, to the Lady Hearts' Caitlin Kaufman who advanced to the sectional in the Country Financial Three-Point Showdown.