Published on February 13, 2026 9:37 am
Last Updated on February 13, 2026 9:53 am
Effingham won the championship of the Hillsboro Freshman/Sophomore Tournament.
HILLSBORO — Effingham ran out to a 21-9 opening quarter lead and went on to beat Taylorville 54-43 to win the Hillsboro Freshman/Sophomore Boys Basketball Tournament championship Thursday.
The Hearts moved into the first quarter lead as Joel Flack hit three baskets and a free throw for seven points while Dagg Thompson connected on two three-pointers for six.
The Tornadoes came back with a 7-6 edge in the second period and had a 12-11 third period to trail 38-28 going into the final quarter.
EHS connected on nine free throws in the final period and Thompson added on to his total with six more points for the win.
Thompson and Flack finished with 17 points each. Thompson connected on five field goals, three from beyond the arc, and four free throws while Flack hit six field goals and four free throws.
Hillsboro Freshman Tournament
Championship
EFFINGHAM (54)
Rohr 3-1 — 7, Keyes 0-0 — 0, Moon 3-2 — 8, Richmond 1-2 — 5, Thompson 5-4 — 17, Westjohn 0-0 — 0, Flack 6-5 — 17, Hodges 0-0 — 0, Jones 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 18 FG, 14 FT.
TAYLORVILLE (43)
Yanker 3-0 — 7, Rincker 3-0 — 6, May 4-1 — 10, Repscher 2-1 — 5, Bonitzer 1-0 — 3, Joyce 0-0 — 0, Durham 2-0 — 6, McDowell 3-0 — 6. TOTALS 18 FG, 2 FT.
Effingham 21 6 11 16 — 54
Taylorville 9 7 12 15 — 43
3-point FG — Effingham 4 (Thompson 3, Richmond 1), Taylorville 5 (Durham 2, Bonitzer 1, May 1, Yanker 1).
At St. Anthony
Centennial came calling and edged Effingham St. Anthony in freshman/sophomore play, 47-45 in overtime Thursday.
The Bulldogs moved into a 17-8 opening quarter lead but Centennial pulled within 25-22 at halftime. Centennial then had an 18-15 second half to tie the score at 40-40 sending the contest into overtime. In the overtime period, Centennial had a 6-5 edge.
St. Anthony was led in scoring by Logan Gowin with 16 on six field goals, three from beyond the arc, and one of two at the line.
At St. Anthony
Overtime
CENTENNIAL (47)
Mcdonald 5-1 — 14, Williams 2-1 — 6, Kaeling 6-0 — 17, Larkett 1-0 — 2, Church 0-0 — 0, Wade 0-1 — 1, Moore 2-0 — 5, Jones 1-0 — 2. TOTALS 17 FG, 3 FT.
ST. ANTHONY (45)
Gowin 6-1 — 16, Bierman 1-0 — 2, McAllaster 1-0 — 2, Bloemer 1-1 — 4, Tingley 1-0 — 3, Vogel 0-0 — 0, Wagner 2-0 — 5, Sandschafer 0-0 — 0, Storm 1-2 — 4, Hoene 3-1 — 8, Looman 0-1 — 1. TOTALS 16 FG, 6 FT.
Centennial 8 14 12 6 7 — 47
St. Anthony 17 8 9 6 5 — 45
3-point FG — Centennial 10 (Kaeling 5, McDonald 3, Williams 1, Moore 1), St. Anthony 7 (Gowin 3, Bloemer 1, Tingley 1, Wagner 1, Hoene 1).