The Mt. Zion Braves came out with energy from the opening tip and backed it up with a strong performance, defeating the Effingham Flaming Hearts 48–36 in an Apollo Conference matchup.
Effingham entered the night on a two-game winning streak after recent victories over Vienna and Charleston, but that streak came to an end as a tough, physical Braves group fed off the crowd and set the tone early. Mt. Zion played with confidence on both ends of the floor, never allowing Effingham to fully settle into the game.
The dynamic duo of #2 Brody Lipa and #3 Braxton Rhoades led the charge for the Braves. With the ball moving freely, the pair connected on deep three-pointers early and continued to apply pressure with hard work in the paint. Their chemistry sparked the offense and helped Mt. Zion build momentum throughout the game.
The effort didn’t stop there. Holden Wirey and Connor Cuddy made their presence felt with relentless hustle, diving for loose balls, battling for rebounds, and outworking opponents on key possessions. That grit proved crucial as Mt. Zion maintained control and closed out the 48–36 win.
With the victory, Mt. Zion evens its Apollo Conference record at 1–1, while Effingham also moves to 1–1 in conference play.
The Braves will enjoy a week-long break before hosting another Apollo Conference opponent, Charleston, at home on the 19th. The Flaming Hearts will look to bounce back when they host a strong Teutopolis Wooden Shoes team, currently 5–1, at home on the 16th.
Holden Wirey from DOWNTOWN