The Effingham Flaming Hearts basketball team (Effingham, IL), was nudged 70-63 in Tuesday's non-league battle with the visiting Newton Eagles (Newton, IL)

The Eagles now possess a 13-5 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Lawrenceville for a Little Illini battle on Friday, January 13. Newton will confront a Indians team coming off a 70-61 non-league loss to North Clay/Clay City (Louisville, IL). The Indians record now stands at 16-4.

The Flaming Hearts (6-13) will now prepare for their battle against Taylorville (Taylorville, IL). The Tornadoes come into the Apollo battle with a 1-17 record. In their last battle, Taylorville was nudged by Centralia (Centralia, IL), 67-30, in a non-league battle.