Hearts Open Postseason Play With Impressive Win Over Olney

The Effingham Hearts began the postseason in style Tuesday night, putting on a clinic in an 85-29 win over the Olney Richland County Tigers. The game at the Mattoon 3A Regional Tournament was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

Effingham led start-to-finish, up 22-5 after one quarter, 47-11 at the half, and 72-19 after three quarters before outscoring the Tigers 13-10 in the final quarter. Effingham had a 60-point lead at one time.

The Hearts excelled in all facets of the game, hitting 34 of 55 shots for 62% including 9 of 16 threes. Effingham made eight of nine foul shots, only turned the ball over four times in the game, and outrebounded the Tigers 33-19.

Olney made just 9 of 42 shots for 21%, including 6 of 23 threes, hit five of six foul shots, and turned the ball over 15 times.

As has often been the case this season, Effingham had four players in double figures. Grant Wolfe led the way with 21 points, hitting eight of 13 shots, while sitting out the fourth quarter. Brent Beals scored 14 points on five of seven shooting, and Landon Wolfe and Jacob Donaldson each scored 13 points. Also for Effingham: Mason Hull 8, Trevor Kreke 6, Ryan Huelsbusch and Ryan Sandifer 4 each, and Logan Smith 2.

Trevor Dobbs led Olney with eight points.

Olney closed out its season with a 13-16 record.

Effingham improved to 25-4 and will play Friday at 7pm against the winner of Wednesday night's game between Mount Zion and Mattoon for the regional championship.

Class 3A Mattoon Regional

OLNEY (29)

Miller 2-8 0-0 5, Dobbs 3-10 0-0 8, Dunn 1-7 1-2 3, Lambird 1-4 2-2 6, Hatten 1-4 2-2 5, Klingler 1-2 0-0 2, Mitchell 0-4 0-0 0, Zuber 0-1 0-0 0, Stallard 0-1 0-0 0, Foster 0-1 0-0 0. TOTALS 9-42 FG (21.4%), 5-6 FT (83.3%)

EFFINGHAM (85)

G. Wolfe 8-13 2-2 21, Beals 5-7 1-2 14, L. Wolfe 5-9 3-3 13, Donaldson 5--9 2-2 13, Hull 4-7 0-0 8, Huelsbusch 2-2 0-0 4, Kreke 2-3 0-0 6, Sandifer 2-3 0-0 4, Lohman 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Halger 0-0 0-0 0, Smith 1-2 0-0 2, Petersen 0-0 0-0 0, Marxman 0-0 0-0 0, Latham 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 34-55 FG (61.8%), 8-9 FT (88.8%)

Olney                    5      6      8    10    --    29

Effingham           22    25    25    13    --    85

3-point FG -- Olney 6-23 (Miller 1-5, Dobbs 2-7, Lambird 2-4, Hatten 1-4, Mitchell 0-2, Zuber 0-1), Effingham 9-16 (G. Wolfe 3-4, Beals 3-5, L. Wolfe 0-3, Donaldson 1-1, Kreke 2-2, Sandifer 0-1). Rebounds -- Olney 19 (Dobbs 5), Effingham 33 (Hull 9, G. Wolfe 8). Total fouls -- Olney 8, Effingham 5. Turnovers -- Olney 15, Effingham 4.

CLASS 3A SCORES

Springfield Lanphier Regional

Springfield Lanphier 51, Rochester 27

Champaign Central Regional

Champaign Central 86, Urbana 52

Taylorville Regional

Springfield Southeast 55, Taylorville 52