“We did shoot a little better and we really spread out our scoring,” Thompson noted. “All five starters scored in the first period. And after we knocked down a couple threes, they went to man-to-man, and then we were able to get to the bucket. Things just worked out really well for us.”

The Lady Shoes owned a 23-6 advantage after the first period. Cremens then continued her hot shooting by connecting on three more from behind the arc in the second period, helping THS build the 33-point halftime cushion.

“I thought we played better together. We were all on the same page,” Thompson said. “It that continues, that’s definitely a positive for us. We need to have good communication.”

The Lady Shoes placed five players in double figures. Cremens and Hardiek led the way with 14 points apiece. Kaylee Niebrugge and Kaitlyn Schumacher both scored 12 and Emily Konkel added 10. Hardiek finished with a double-double by pulling down 11 rebounds, and Niebrugge almost joined her, grabbing nine boards.

How do you explain the dominance Teutopolis has had in the regional through the years?

“We try to preach fundamentals and defense,” Thompson explained. “Plus, there is consistency in the program. There have been very few coaching changes. And the junior high program keeps doing things that only helps the high school. We try to do things that work for us and we like to think we’re doing something right.

“But we never take it for granted,” Thompson emphasized. “Every night is a new game and we have to do our job every time we step on that floor. That was drilled into me and I try to do the same with my players. There’s no such thing as a ‘gimme’ game. At this time of the year, you’re either ready to play or you go home.”

The Lady Shoes, now 21-7, will advance to the Monticello Sectional. And they will need to be ready to play. T-Town will face the Paris Lady Tigers, who beat Clinton 63-38 to claim the Clinton Regional title. The Lady Tigers also own a 51-49 win over THS right before Christmas.

“We had an opportunity to tie or win that game at the end,” Thompson recalled. “In fact, we were up two with less than a minute to play, but turned the ball over twice. We had too many turnovers and missed shots that game. They are a very good basketball team, but we have some game plans for them.”

The Monticello Sectional begins Tuesday night. Pana, the winner of the Arthur Regional, will play Marshall, who captured its own regional, at 6 p.m. The Lady Shoes and the 27-4 Lady Tigers will square off at 7:30 p.m. The sectional championship will be played at 7 p.m. Thursday.