Published on February 6, 2026 8:08 am
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 8:10 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
Effingham High School played host to Marion and fell to the Wildcats by a 49-35 tally in boys basketball Thursday evening.
The Hearts and Wildcats played to a 10-10 opening quarter tie. Cannon Bockhorn connected on two three-pointers while Jake Niebrugge hit a basket and Cole Phillips put in two free throws.
Marion edged into a 19-18 halftime lead as Sincere Curry tallied five points.
Jenner Pals connected on two baskets for the Hearts.
Marion then went on a 14-10 third quarter to lead 33-28 going into the final period then finished out strong with a 16-7 run.
Effingham had only one player in double figures. Bockhorn hit six field goals, two from three-point range.
Marion was led by Blake Blue with 14 points and Mahki House with 11.
In junior varsity play, Effingham was a 53-35 winner. Dagg Thompson led with 15 points while Joel Flack added 11.
The Hearts are back in action Tuesday, playing host to Highland.
At Effingham
MARION (49)
Bates 0-0 — 0, Adkins 4-1 — 9, Motsinger 1-0 — 3, House 5-0 — 11, Spence 0-0 — 0, Roper 1-1 — 3, Curry 2-5 — 9, Blue 6-1 — 14. TOTALS 19 FG, 8 FT.
EFFINGHAM (35)
McDaniel 0-0 — 0, Niebrugge 2-0 — 4, Bockhorn 6-0 — 14, Pals 2-0 — 4, Gonzalez 0-0 — 0, Thompson 1-0 — 3, Buzzard 0-1 — 1, Bridges 0-0 — 0, Traub 1-0 — 3, Mosier 1-0 — 2, Philips 1-2 — 4, Love 0-0 — 0, Warner 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 14 FG, 3 FT.
Marion 10 9 14 16 — 49
Effingham 10 8 10 7 — 35
3-point FG — Marion 3 (Motsinger 1, Roper 1, Blue 1), Effingham 4 (Bockhorn 2, Thompson 1, Traub 1).
Junior Varsity Game
Marion 9 5 10 11 — 35
Effingham 10 14 16 13 — 53
Marion — Darius 2, Motsinger 0, Robinson 0, Spence 14, Wesley 0, Hill 2, Tarlton 4, R. Tanner 0, Twitty 0, Lewis 2, Burford 4, E.Tanner 7
Effingham — Rohr 5, Moon 3, Loew 0, Richmond 0, Jones 0, Thompson 15, Westjohn 0, Traub 9, Flack 11, Wendt 0, Love 7, Warner 3