Hearts Beat Mater Dei; Wolfe Three Points Away from Setting Record

The Effingham Hearts beat the Breese Mater Dei Knights 57-44 on Senior Night Tuesday night at EHS Gym. The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3.

The Hearts senior basketball players Cole Marxman and Landon Wolfe were recognized before the game, along with senior cheerleaders and pom squad members.

The contest saw Hearts' senior Landon Wolfe pull within three points of setting an all-time record for career points by an EHS boys basketball player. Wolfe's 28 points gives him 2,044 career points, two behind Mitch Arnold's record of 2,046 points. The Hearts close out the regular season Friday night at Taylorville and still have post-season action starting Monday at 7:30pm at the Olney 3A Regional against Mt. Zion.

The game Tuesday got off to a scuffling start as neither team shot well, but Effingham eventually got untracked and led 13-5 at the end of the first period. 

It was Mater Dei's turn to get their offense going in the second quarter and outscored Effingham 14-10 to pull within 23-19 at halftime.

The third quarter was the difference, as Effingham outscored Mater Dei 24-13 to lead by 15, 47-32, heading for the final quarter. The Knights outscored the Hearts 12-10 in the final quarter, but Effingham won by 13 points.

The Hearts hit 18 of 45 shots, 40%, including six of 19 threes. Effingham was 15 of 19 at the foul line, committed 13 turnovers, and grabbed 29 rebounds.

Mater Dei made 13 of 39 shots, 33%, including missing all seven of their three-point attempts. The Knights were 18 of 23 at the line, turned the ball over eight times, and pulled down 19 rebounds.

In scoring his 28 points, Landon Wolfe was 10 of 17 from the field, 2 of 6 on threes, and hit all eight of his foul shots, while grabbing eight rebounds. Also for Effingham, Parker Wolfe scored 12 points, 10 in the second half, Drew Thompson and Tate Niebrugge each scored six points, Jacob Stoneburner three, and Nate Thompson two.

For Mater Dei, Jacob Schadegg led with nine points.

The Hearts are now 16-12 on the season.

Effingham won the JV game 70-67. Ben Donsbach led the JV Hearts with 22 points. Also in double figures: Jacob Briggerman with 14 points and Tate Niebrugge with 12.

At Effingham

BMD (44)

Schadegg 2-5 -- 9, Goebel 1-0 -- 2, Napovanice 1-0 -- 2, Jasper 1-2 -- 4, Schuchman 2-0 -- 4, Foppe 0-3 -- 3, Boeckmann 1-5 -- 7, Haake 2-3 -- 7, Kassen 0-0 -- 0, Dant 3-0 -- 6. TOTALS 13 FG, 18 FT.

EFFINGHAM (57)

Niebrugge 2-0 -- 6, P. Wolfe 3-5 -- 12, L. Wolfe 10-6 -- 28, D. Thompson 1-3 -- 6, N. Thompson 1-0 -- 2, Stoneburner 1-1 -- 3. TOTALS 18 FG, 15 FT.

Mater Dei                 5    14    13    12    --    44

Effingham               13    10    24    10    --    57

3-point FG -- Breese Mater Dei 0, Effingham 6 (Niebrugge 2, P. Wolfe 1, L. Wolfe 2, D. Thompson 1).