It was a reversal in that second OT, with Dixon getting four free throws by Bryce Feit to take a four-point lead, 62-58, with only 56 seconds left. But a bucket by Kremer narrowed the gap to two and Joey Niebrugge tied the game with a drive to the basket following a Dixon turnover. The Dukes missed a last-second shot, leaving the score tied 62-62 and forcing the third OT.

Three free throws by Kremer had the Shoes on top, 65-64, midway through, but those were the final points T-Town scored. Mason Weigle scored after grabbing an offensive rebound and Feit hit a free throw with 11 seconds to play to account for the final score and advance the Dukes into the semifinals of the tournament.

“I feel for these kids,” Reeder said. “They’re not trying to miss shots or turn the ball over. They’re getting to where they need to be on the floor. We’re going to continue to get these good looks and we’re going to start making those shots. We’ll get better from today and from this tournament.”

Dixon led for much of the game. Hicks had the hot hand early. He knocked down a pair of threes and scored nine points in the opening quarter, helping the Dukes take a 14-11 lead after the first eight minutes.

A three-pointer by Shaner and back-to-back scores by Eli Davidson and Harrington opened a double-digit advantage, 24-13. But a pair of free throws by Gaddis and a three-pointer from Logan Lawson narrowed the gap to 24-18 at intermission.

“We didn’t play a very good first half,” Reeder admitted. “We fixed a lot of our mistakes, but unfortunately, we didn’t get many points out of it.”

A free throw by Davidson and a three from Shaner gave the Dukes their largest lead of the game, 34-22, at the 3:29 mark of the third period. Gaddis scored six points in the final 90 seconds to help the Shoes close to within 40-32 heading into the final period.

Kremer and Mitch Koester both converted Dixon miscues into baskets, but Harrington knocked down a shot from long range and scored again after grabbing an offensive rebound. That made it 47-38 and set the stage for T-Town’s rally to tie the game.

Dixon had four players in double figures. Harrington, who fouled out during overtime, led the way with 18 points. Feit scored 14, Hicks added 13 and Shaner chipped in with 11.

Gaddis poured in 28 points before also fouling out. Joey Niebrugge was also in double figures with 14.

“Garrett had 28 points, but only three threes,” Reeder noted. “That shows you how much he’s worked on other parts of his game. You saw the whole package today. And he guards the other team’s best player. Unfortunately, he ran out of fouls today. But you can see how he’s becoming a complete player.”

The Shoes dipped to 8-3. They will now face Highland in the seventh place game. That will be played at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Effingham High School.

Highland 55, Teutopolis 45

Just a short time after that triple overtime loss, the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes were back on the floor.

Highland jumped out to a 19-11 lead after eight minutes and went on to post the 55-45 victory.

The Shoes closed to within 29-25 at halftime, but the Bulldogs then outscored T-Town 13-6 in the third period to expand their lead to double digits, 42-31.

Highland had four players in double figures. Garrin Stone scored 14 points, while Braxton Decker and Jake Ottensmeier both had 11 and Grant Fleming added 10.

Joey Niebrugge paced THS with a game-high 15 points. Alex Kremer chipped in with 11.

Highland will play St. Anthony in the fifth place game. That is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Effingham High School.