Lady Hearts to Elite Eight

Down nine at halftime after scoring just one point in the second quarter, the Effingham Lady Hearts came back in the second half to post a 42-40 victory in the championship game of the Salem Class 3A Girls Sectional Tournament. With the win, Effingham advances to the Elite Eight for the second straight season. The game was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com. 

Effingham will take on Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Monday night at 7:00 at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Griffin won the Taylorville 3A Sectional with a 53-44 victory over Bethalto Civic Memorial.

The Lady Hearts broke out on top on a three-pointer by Natalie Carie and the two teams battled to a 10-10 standoff after one quarter. The Lady Hearts couldn't buy a bucket in the period, and it got worse in the second quarter as Effingham made none of just five shots from the field and made just one of three free throw attempts. Mater Dei scored 10 points and led 20-11 at halftime, but Effingham wasn't out of the game even with the one-point quarter.

The halftime appeared to be the tonic for Effingham, as they made six of eight shots in the third quarter including two of four threes and made all six of their foul shots in the period. The Lady Hearts outscored Mater Dei 20-12 in the quarter, but still trailed 32-31 heading to the final quarter. Carsyn Fearday scored 12 points in the third quarter and Abby Weis scored the other eight in the period. 

The fourth quarter was a nailbiting affair, but the Lady Hearts outscored Mater Dei 11-8 to win by two. Fearday scored six more points, Miranda Fox hit a big three-point basket, and Weis made two foul shots to get the Lady Hearts the win. 

A scary moment occurred late in the game when Fearday and teammate Skyler Schafer got their feet tangled and Fearday went down face-first in the lane and was clutching her knee as she started to move. However, she got up and made her way to the bench, then re-entered the contest moments later. Trainer Troy VanBlaricum said after the game that she might wear a brace, but will play in Monday night's game.

Effingham's stone cold first half of 2 for 19 from the field was followed by an 8 for 15 second half, leaving them 10 of 34 for the game, 29%, including 4 of 13 threes. The Lady Hearts made 18 of 22 foul shots, though, and turned the ball over just six times, none in the second half.

Mater Dei shot 37% from the field, 16 of 43, including 2 of 10 threes. They made all six of their foul shots and outrebounded Effingham 27-22 while turning the ball over nine times, just two in the second half.

Fearday led Effingham and all scorers with 20 points. After an oh-for-six first half from the field, she hit 5-of-7 in the second half and went 10-for-10 from the line with six rebounds. Abby Weis finished with 15 points on three-of-eight shooting including two big third quarter three-pointers and 7-of-9 at the line. Natalie Carie scored four points and grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds. Miranda Fox hit the fourth quarter three for her points and pulled down four rebounds while playing great defense and directing the offense. Skyler Schafer went scoreless but pulled down three boards. Madison Buscher and Kiyah Kuhlman also gave help off the bench.

Shannon Lampe led Mater Dei with her double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Effingham improved to 28-6 with the sectional championship, while Mater Dei finishes 23-8.

A note that senior Jessie Herboth competed in the Country Financial Three-Point Event and hit eight threes to finish fifth. The top four shooters advanced to the finals at the state tournament.

Class 3A Salem Sectional

Championship

EFFINGHAM (42)

Fearday 5-10 -- 20, Schafer 0-0 -- 0, Carie 1-1 -- 4, Buscher 0-0 -- 0, Fox 1-0 -- 3, Weis 3-7 -- 15. TOTALS 10 FG, 18 FT.

BREESE MATER DEI (40)

Strieker 3-0 -- 7, L. Kramer 0-0 -- 0, Winkeler 2-2 -- 6, Innes 1-0 -- 2, C. Tonnies 1-2 -- 4, Lampe 5-0 -- 11, Timmerman 0-0 -- 0, Braudmeier 3-2 -- 8. Albers 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 16 FG, 6 FT.

Effingham                        10      1    20    11    --    42

Breese Mater  Dei           10    10    12      8    --    40

3-point FG -- Effingham 4 (Weis 2, Fox 1, Carie 1), Breese Mater Dei 2 (Strieker 1, Lampe 1).