Effingham Girls Crowned Charleston Holiday Tournament Champs

CHARLESTON -- With just under four minutes to go in the second quarter, Effingham High School edged ahead of Galesburg and never relinquished that lead again. The Hearts went on to edge the Streaks 68-67 to claim the championship of the Charleston Girls Holiday Basketball Tournament Saturday.

EHS trailed 19-17 after the opening quarter then came roaring back with an 18-9 second period run to lead 35-28 at halftime. The Hearts had a 19-18 edge in the third period. Galesburg then came back with a 21-14 run.

In that run, Sharron Diggins started the quarter with a three-pointer and a jumper to pull the Streaks within 54-51. The Streaks pulled within 66-64 with less than a minute in the contest with a three-pointer. But the Hearts hung on and answered back. With 21.2 seconds left, a  Diggins basket pulled the Streaks within 68-67 but Effingham played solid defense the rest of the way and took care of the ball to claim the victory.

Four Hearts finished in double figures. Caitlin Kaufman led the way with 17 points while Kelli Utz tallied 13 and Lauren Stephenson and Stephanie Robb scored 12 each. Josie Zerrusen chipped in with nine. Robb led in rebounds with 12 and Zerrusen pulled down nine and Stephenson five.

The Hearts push their record to 13-3 on the season. EHS was to be back in action Thursday at Salem but the game has been postponed.

In the third place game Saturday, Taylorville edged Paris 45-43.  The fifth place game went to Decatur Eisenhower over Charleston 52-47. The seventh place game was captured by Rantoul with a 51-43 win over Urbana.

Charleston Holiday Tournament

Championship

EFFINGHAM (68)

Utz 4-5 -- 13, Michael 2-0 -- 6, Bealas 1-0 -- 2, Totten 2-0 -- 4, Stephenson 4-4 -- 12, Kaufman 7-0 -- 17, Robb 4-2 -- 10, Zerrusen 1-0 -- 2, Field 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 26 FG, 11 FT.

GALESBURG (67)

Manneiri 1-0 -- 3, Daniels 1-0 -- 3, Teel 3-0 -- 6, Williams 1-0 -- 3, Anderson 3-2 -- 8, Leiber 8-0 -- 20, Diggins 7-5 -- 21, Kelso 1-0 -- 3. TOTALS 25  FG, 7 FT.

Effingham          17    18    19    14    --    68

Galesburg          19      9    18    21    --    67

3-point FG -- Effingham 5 (Michael 2, Kaufman 3), Galesburg 10 (Manneiri 1, Daniels 1, Williams 1, Leiber 4, Diggins 2, Kelso 1),