The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes saw their season come to an end Monday night with their loss to Nashville in the Carbondale Class 2A Super Sectional.

The Shoes had a great season, finishing with a 26-8 record and capturing a regional and sectional title along the way.

As with any season-ending defeat, it means saying goodbye to the senior members of the team. That was especially true for Coach Chet Reeder and this group of seven seniors – Mitch Althoff, Max Niebrugge, Dylan Pruemer, Joey Ruholl, Kayden Althoff, Derek Konkel and Cade Buehnerkemper.

When Coach Reeder first came to Teutopolis High School, these kids were just freshmen, meaning they are the first group to go through their entire high school career with Reeder as their head coach. It’s no secret this has been a special group for the fourth-year coach.

Following the game – at about 10:40 p.m. – Coach Reeder posted this letter to his seniors.

“Kayden, Mitch, Cade, Derek, Max, Dylan & Joey:

It’s impossible for me to say enough words about how much you guys mean to me. From the day I met you, you were all in. You dedicated time and energy to this program all year round. You were the ultimate teammates on and off the court. You jumped at every chance to set a great example for our younger guys. And you were outstanding role models. You are all Everyday Guys!!

You made me a better coach and I loved coming to the gym everyday to work along side of you. I hope you have learned as much from me as I have from you!!!

I will never forget your grit and toughness. I will never forget how you believed in yourselves above anything else. I will never forget the great role models you were for my daughters. I will never forget how you continued to build our program and how you left it in a better place than when you started.

It will be impossible for me to repay you, but I will try my best every day. I’m proud to have you call me Coach and I’m extremely proud of the young men you are.

Love you 7.”