Published on January 14, 2026 12:18 pm
Last Updated on January 14, 2026 12:18 pm
The Effingham Athletic Department runs an Athlete of the Month program each month. Athletes are nominated by head coaches and then voted on by all coaches. Winners receive recognition and a Treign Athlete of the Month shirt. Nomination criteria is as follows:
Stats, Accomplishments, Character, Coachability, Leadership and Sportsmanship
Averie Wolfe, Sr. – Girls Basketball
“Averie is a senior captain averaging 16.2 ppg, 4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, 4 steals per game while helping lead the Hearts to a 14-2 start. She has been on the All-Tournament Teams at Newton and at the Coles County Tournament. To show the type of teammate Averie has been, she scored 27 points in a game and the next game only attempted two shots in our next win, just doing what she is supposed to do. She is one of the best on-ball defenders in 2A. She has really taken that next step forward helping us have a successful season..” — Coach Jeff Schafer
Cole Phillips, Sr. – Boys Basketball
“Cole has been a verbal leader for us all season in practice and in games. Cole was our second leading scorer and leading rebounder in the month of December. Cole was a major factor in our four wins in December and a major factor in our ability to compete in our close losses. He has really stepped up his game this season and I am looking forward to a good second half of the season for him.” — Coach Mack Thompson