Published on February 20, 2026 10:04 am
Last Updated on February 20, 2026 10:04 am
The Effingham Hearts saw a wonderful season come to an end Thursday night at the hands of the host school Paris in the 2A Girls Regional Championship Game, 55-51.
Effingham did have the slimmest of leads after one quarter of action 10-9. However Paris had an 18-13 advantage in the second quarter as the Lady Tiger’s sophomore Pailyne Camp erupted for 12 of her 14 points in the decisive period. Paris held a 27-23 lead at halftime with each team scoring 11 points in the third quarter as it was 38-34 Lady Tigers at the end of the third.
In the fourth period and each team put up 17 points but did it in different ways. Paris extended their lead to nine points, the biggest lead for either team, with six minutes to play. Macy Bicknell scored 10 of her game high 23 points putting in a field goal and going 8 of 14 from the free throw line where Paris did just enough to hold off the Hearts who the cut the lead down to three late in the contest, but could get no closer as the Lady Tigers’ claimed the Regional Championship with the 55-51 victory.
Paris shot well from the field where Effingham struggled. The Tigers finished 20/40 from the floor and 3/8 from beyond the arc while the Hearts where 18/48 from the field and just 1/15 from three point range. However, the free throw line almost cost Paris as the were 12/24 in the game, 8/16 in the fourth quarter. Effingham was 9/12 from the stripe in the fourth quarter and 14/20 in the game.
Paris outrebounded Effingham 25-22. The Hearts had 12 turnovers compared to Paris’ 9, none in the fourth quarter.
Jeff Schafer’s club season ends with a record of 28-4. Paris improves to 25-5 and will play Olney who hosts the sectional Tuesday night at 6 p.m. while Teutopolis will play Mt. Carmel in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m. in the other sectional semifinal.
Macey Bicknell finished with 23 points followed by Pailyne Camp’s 14. Paedyn Keys added 7, Kailey Young 5, with 4 from Morgan Coombs and 2 from Jaycie Young for Paris.
Effingham was led in scoring by Alyssa Martin’s 19. Tessa Raddatz also reached double figures with 11. Drew Wies had 8 and Maci Hayes finished with 6 as they each provided a lift of the bench. Averie Wolfe ended with 5 and Makenzie Love score 2.
The Hearts will say goodbye to 1000 point scorers Alyssa Martin and Averie Wolfe as well as follow starters Ryley Engel and Makenzie Love.