Published on January 15, 2026 7:26 am
Last Updated on January 15, 2026 7:27 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
Effingham High School went overtime to hand Bethalto Civic Memorial a 58-53 loss in boys basketball action Wednesday evening.
The Eagles stepped out to an 18-11 lead on EHS. Lukus Zangori knocked in eight points and the Eagles were six of six at the line.
Jenner Pals led the Hearts with seven points.
Both teams scored 13 points in the second period. Brady McWhorter hit a three-pointer and a free throw while Cole Phillips tallied five points on two baskets and a free throw for the Hearts. But Bethalto held a 31-24 halftime lead.
It looked like Bethalto was going to rack up a victory as the Eagles had a 15-9 third quarter run to lead 46-33 heading into the final quarter. Zangori put in seven more points and Charlie Kilpatrick hit two baskets.
The Hearts’ Pals put in two baskets and a free throw for five.
EHS was down but not out heading into the final period. The Hearts rallied as Pals knocked down two three-pointers and a regular basket for eight while Jake Niebrugge had a basket, Brody McDaniel two free throws and Hayden Wendling a free throw.
Meanwhile, Effingham’s defense held the Eagles to only one basket in that final period. The Hearts tied the score at 48-48 sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period, Wendling scored a basket and hit two free throws while Phillips and Pals also nailed a basket. Jake Niebrugge scored on two free throws as the Hearts had a 10-5 run to pull out the victory.
Pals scored 22 points on nine field goals, three from beyond the arc, and one free throw. Also in double figures was Phillips with 13 on six field goals and a free throw.
Effingham also claimed the junior varsity game, 52-37.
At Effingham
Overtime
BETHALTO (53)
Kilpatrick 6-2 — 15, Bruekner 0-2 — 2, Wallace 1-0 — 2, Farrell 2-1 — 5, Zangori 10-2 — 23, Lamb 1-4 — 6. TOTALS 20 FG, 11 FT.
EFFINGHAM (58)
Fearday 0-0 — 0, McDaniel 1-3 — 6, Niebrugge 3-2 — 8, Bockhorn 0-0 — 0, Pals 9-1 — 22, Wendling 1-3 — 5, Buzzard 1-0 — 2, Traub 1-0 — 2, Phillips 6-1 — 13, Love 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 22 FG, 10 FT.
Bethalto 18 13 15 2 5 — 53
Effingham 11 13 9 15 10 — 58
3-point FG — Bethalto Civic Memorial 2 (Kilpatrick 1, Zangori 1), Effingham 4 (Pals 3, McDaniel 1).