The Taylorville girls basketball team lost their final regular season game at home to Effingham 67-37.  The team honored seniors Peyton DeMichael and Baileigh Jackson before the game. 

Effingham came into the game as the conference champion-elect.  They wasted hardly any time to take command, with baskets from such players as Alyssa Martin, Tessa Raddatz, and Averie Wolfe.  Raddatz continued her dominance into the second quarter with three threes.  Both teams aimed to move the ball quickly up court, but Effingham saw better success and brought an effective full-court press on Taylorville. 

Jackson scored six points, which along with her effective defense earned her the title of Chill Nicole Patrick Country Financial Player of the Game.  Her fellow honoree DeMichael topped out Taylorville scorers with nine.  For the away side, Wolfe, Martin, and Raddatz finished with 17, 13, and 12 points, respectively.  The pair also hit double-digits in the reverse fixture. 

The result sends Taylorville into the regional semifinals with a 9-21 overall record and a 5-5 conference record.  In a matchup revealed last Friday, they will travel to MacArthur High School - the site of an earlier match for them - for a rematch with Lanphier.  It's scheduled for Tuesday, February 17 at 6 p.m., and live commentary will be available on 96.5 The Chill.

Effingham jumps to 26-3 overall and 10-0 in the conference.  They host Richland County tomorrow before turning their attention to the playoffs.  The Hearts will face either Pana or Palestine.