“When we get a few more kids sprinkle in a few more baskets, that’s exactly what we need,” THS coach Laurie Thompson said. “Kaylee is always thinking offense. She has that scorer’s mentality. But when they double-teamed her, she kicked the ball out and we had a couple kids step up and hit some big shots.”

That was most evident in the third period when the Hearts trimmed the 12-point halftime deficit down to seven. Ella Niebrugge hit a three and converted a T-Town turnover into another basket. Madison Mapes then drove the lane for a basket, getting EHS to within 29-22 three minutes into the second half.

Molly Ruholl then hit a jumper that ignited a 13-6 scoring surge for the Lady Shoes. Summer Wall added a basket and Mette connected on a three late in the period to extend the THS lead to 14 points. It was a 12-point bulge at the end of the third quarter, 42-30.

“They got it down to seven points twice, but we answered both times,” Thompson noted. “That was another positive for us. We’ve lost a few leads this year. But I thought we kept our composure and hit the shots we needed to.”

The Lady Hearts, who missed their first nine shots to start the game, experienced another cold shooting spurt in the final eight minutes. Ella Niebrugge hit a shot to keep it a 12-point game early in the fourth period, but that was the only one Effingham made, going 1-for-10.

Kaylee Niebrugge turned in a three-point play and Gibson drained a three to expand the Lady Shoes lead to 18 points with 2:38 to play.

“I thought we attacked the basket much better the second half,” Schafer said. “Madison and Sidney (Donaldson) did a nice job. But we just needed to shoot the ball better. T-Town is long and lanky and made it difficult.”

It took the Lady Hearts 6½ minutes to get on the scoreboard to begin the game. They made just 2-of-12 shots in the opening period – three-pointers by Ella Niebrugge and Mapes – but only trailed by three points, 9-6.

“We put ourselves in good position toward the end of the first quarter,” Schafer said. “But we took a couple quick shots that led to some run-outs at the end. We lost focus twice in that first quarter and that took away any momentum we might have had. And, unfortunately, it didn’t get any better after that.”

A free throw by Donaldson and a jumper by Bria Beals got the Lady Hearts into a 9-9 tie. A free throw by Gibson not only gave Teutopolis a lead it wouldn’t relinquish, it started a 16-4 run that put the hosts in charge.

Kaylee Niebrugge hit a short jumper and then one from behind the arc, and Konkel and Wall both scored four points, as the Lady Shoes opened a 14-point lead. A rebound basket by Donaldson right before the buzzer made it 25-13 as the two teams headed to the locker room at intermission.

“I wasn’t real pleased with our defense that first half,” Thompson said. “I thought they got some great looks early. Those are shots they normally make. They just didn’t make them tonight. Even though they hit a few shots, I thought our defense was better the second half.

“I also thought Emily stepped up in the second half,” Thompson added. “We challenged her at halftime and she decided to play ball the second half. Emily is capable of taking over a game if she wants to. I thought she responded very well to that challenge.”

Ella Niebrugge scored 14 points and Mapes added 11 for the Lady Hearts. They shot just 29 percent overall, connecting on 13-of-44 attempts. They were 3-for-15 from long range and 6-for-8 at the foul line.

Niebrugge’s double-double included a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds. Konkel added 10. The Lady Shoes shot well, making 22-of-41 attempts, a 51 percent clip. They were 5-for-12 from three-point range and 4-for-6 at the free throw line. They held a commanding 33-19 rebounding edge.

“I think both teams are getting better,” Thompson said. “Effingham is a good team that’s only going to keep improving. That’s why we want to play them. We want to play a tough schedule.”

The Lady Hearts dipped to 17-8. They will play Tuesday at Charleston.

The Lady Shoes improved to 21-3 on the season. They will return to action today (Saturday), hosting Breese Central.

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It was Senior Night at Teutopolis. Seven seniors – Courtney Gibson, Taylor Bueker, Joleen Deters, Katie Kremer, Emily Konkel, Kaylee Niebrugge and Estella Mette – were all recognized before the game.

“Each of them knows their role and fills that role very well,” THS coach Laurie Thompson said. “It’s a tribute to all of them. We’re getting better because of how hard these kids work in practice. They are good leaders in our program and they like to have fun. I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids.”