Mattoon boys’ basketball completed the season sweep of Charleston with a 53-45 win at Mattoon High School on Friday. 

Mattoon has won four straight games against Charleston since last season. This marks a shift for the Trojans who before last season had won six straight matchups against the Greenwave. 

Charleston’s last win over Mattoon came over two years ago on Feb. 16, 2023, with a 49-43 overtime victory at Mattoon High School. 

The Trojans (11-20, 3-7) and Greenwave (9-21, 3-7) were competing for fourth place in Apollo Conference standings.  

Despite Mattoon sinking two three-pointers to start the game, Charleston got out to an early lead going up 13-6.  

Both teams were explosive beyond the arch constantly draining three-pointers.  

“In the first half we started seven of eight behind the arch,” senior guard Luke Bonnstetter said.  

Bonnstetter attributed practice to the performance. 

“The last few games as a team we’ve been struggling from behind the arch. Most of past few days of practice, we just really honed in on our efficiency and everything and threes just came with it.” 

The trojans lead at halftime 31-28. Bonnstetter led the team with 13 points. Mattoon was led by sophomore forward Tyler Haacke’s 11 points.  

The Greenwave came out of the half and were able to grab the lead from Charleston and make the game 37-36.  

“We had a slow start, but we really got back into it,” Mattoon head coach Jimmy McKee said. 

Mattoon would hold onto the lead for the rest of the game. The Greenwave’s defense in the second half was able to counter Charleston’s offense. 

“They picked up a little defensive pressure on us. And we didn’t handle that very good,” Charleston head coach Brian Deadmond said. “It’s just hard whenever they’re bigger than you at every position. It’s super hard to handle that pressure and see the court.”  

Deadmond was proud of the effort of his team.  

“Had a great effort tonight. We played hard, we were on the floor, we were getting rebounds. They just scored more than we did tonight,” Deadmond said. 

Bonnstetter would add four more points to finish still with a team high of 17 points. Junior guard Tyler Oakley was second with 12 points.  

Mattoon junior guard Lincoln Hayes exploded in the second have, going from five points at the end of the first half to finishing the game with a team leading 18 points. Haacke was second with 13 points.  

Charleston is set to play Effingham in Illinois High School Association Class 3A bracket Marion Sectional regional quarterfinals as the eighth seed. The game will take place at Charleston High School at 6:30 p.m. on Monday.  

“We’ll be ready to play Effingham on Monday,” Deadmond said. 

Mattoon is the 7-seed in the sectional and will play in the regional semifinals against Herrin High School. The game will be at Effingham High School at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Jason Coulombe can be reached at 581-2812 or at jmcoulombe@eiu.edu.