Story and photos by Chet Piotrowski Jr.

Effingham defeated Charleston in the Class 3A girls basketball regional semifinals at Mattoon High School 87-15 Monday evening.

Effingham kept Charleston from scoring in the second and fourth quarter while managing to get every player but one in the scoring column. 

Sophomore Bria Beals and freshman Alyssa Martin led the Hearts with 11 points each, while sophomore Anny Logsdon led the Trojans with four points. 

“I thought we started off strong,” Charleston girls varsity head coach Shani Iberg said. “But then we saw the end in sight and gave up and didn’t finish our strongest than what we could have.”

Charleston’s Jacey Smith tries to secure a rebound away from Effingham’s Olivia Moser (left) and Taylor Greene during their regional semifinal game Monday evening.
Charleston’s Megan Myerscough looks to pass the ball against Effingham during their regional semifinal game Monday evening.


“Tonight we started the opposite where we start off slow and finish off slow.”

Charleston, due to injuries, has relied on a starting lineup that’s consisted of primarily freshmen for its varsity schedule.

“One thing we talked about in the locker room is the amount of growth that every one of them has had in the experiences most freshmen haven’t gotten to have on varsity teams. We talked about how far this could take them in the future if they continue to work at it and not give up. 

Charleston’s Maggie Englum shoots the ball over Effingham’s Lily Wise during their regional semifinal game Monday evening.
Charleston’s Ella Kenner and Megan Myerscough share a hug after their regional semifinal loss to Effingham Monday evening.

Iberg said she believes they recognize the opportunity the players have been presented considering most underclassmen very rarely see varsity experience.

“We can all recognize with that opportunity comes hardships and challenges,” she said. “It’s a mental game. Being able to take to the scoring beatings and try to push you and get better every day. It’s hard.”

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CHARLESTON – Okrasinski 1 0-0 3, Sweis 1 0-0 3, Englum 1 1-1 3, Wanek-Clementi 1 0-0 2, Logsdon 2 0-0 4. 3-pointers: Okrasinski 1, Sweis 1. Totals: 6 1-1 15.

EFFINGHAM – Mapes 4 0-0 10, Wolfe 4 0-0 9, Niebrugge 4 0-0 10, Althoff 1 2-3 4, Beals 4 2-3 11, Donaldson 1 3-6 5, Wise 1 2-2 5, Hodge 2 0-0 5, Greene 2 0-05, R. Cunningham 1 0-2, 3, A. Cunningham 1 0-0 2, Maser 3 1-2 7, Martin 5 1-1 11. 3-pointers: Mapes 2, Wolfe 1, Niebrugge 2, Beals 1, Wise 1, Hodge 1, Greene 1, R. Cunningham 1, Moser 3. Totals: 33 11-19 87.