Hearts Win, Head To Girls Regional Title Game

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Published on February 13 2024 7:33 am
Last Updated on February 13 2024 7:33 am
Written by Millie Lange

SALEM -- Effingham High School put together two good quarters in the second, but most importantly in the fourth to down sixth-seeded Troy Triad, 55-34 in the Class 3A Salem Girls Basketball Regional Monday evening.

The Hearts, seeded No. 2, played the sixth-seeded Triad to an even 13-13 opening quarter tally. Four players scored for the Hearts. Bria Beals hit a three-pointer while Saige Althoff and Sidney Donaldson put in four each and Averie Wolfe added a basket.

But the second quarter went to the Hearts with an 11-4 run to lead 24-17 at halftime. Bella Austin came to life from three-point range with two and Althoff added on four more points.

Triad came out after halftime and went on a minor 13-12 run to pull wtihin 36-30 going into the final period.

The Hearts had two three-pointers by Beals and Austin while three other players connected.

Then came the tough final quarter as EHS went on a 19-4 run. Alyssa Martin, who had scored three points through the opening three quarters, provided the momentum, hitting three baskets and a free throw for seven points. Beals added her third three-pointer and Wolfe connected on three of four at the line. Olivia Moser and Donaldson put in a basket each as the Hearts pushed the game into the win category.

Only one player scored in double digits but eight Hearts tallied points in the contest. Martin hit four field goals and was two of seven at the line for 10 points. Beals and Austin added nine each and Althoff and Donaldson had eight each.

The Hearts improved to 27-4 on the season and will now face No. 5 Centralia Thursday at 7 p.m for the regional championship. Centralia took a 62-50 win over No. 3 Bethalto Civic Memorial in the second game of the evening. The Orphans are 20-9 on the season and are led by Jasaiyah Wallace who averages 19 points and 15 rebounds a game.

Class 3A Salem Regional

EFFINGHAM (55)

Martin 4-2 -- 10, Wolfe 2-3 -- 7, Beals 3-0 -- 9, Moser 1-0 -- 2, Althoff 4-0 -- 8, Donaldson 4-0 -- 8, Armstrong 0-0 -- 0, Austin 3-0 -- 9, Thompson 0-0 -- 0, Harvey 0-0 -- 0, Raddatdz 0-0 -- 0, Bierman 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 22 FG, 5 FT.

TROY TRIAD (34)

Thompson 0-0 -- 0, Witham 3-3 -- 9, Hess 2-0 -- 6, Jones 0-0 -- 0, Obvcina 0-0 -- 0, Holloway 0-1 -- 1, Boyce 1-2 -- 5, Watts 0-0 -- 0, Metcalf 0-0 -- 0, Powers 0-0 -- 0, S. Hildebrand 5-0 -- 11, Guidry 0-0 -- 0, Hunt 1-0 -- 2, C. Hilderand 0-0 -- 0. TOTALS 12 FG, 6 FT.

Effingham                   13    11    12    19    --    55

Troy Triad                   13      4    13      4    --    34

3-point FG -- Effingham 6 (Beals 3, Austin 3), Troy Triad 4 (Hess 2, Boyce 1, S. Hildebrand 1).