The Shoes held a four-point lead entering the final eight minutes. Back-to-back baskets by Garrett Gaddis and Kremer extended the advantage to 44-37 at the 4:46 mark.
But the Pioneers got a bucket from Miles Kirin after grabbing an offensive rebound, followed by a score from Mason Willis that trimmed the gap to just three points, 44-41, with 1:08 still left.
But on the next possession, Kremer followed up a missed shot by grabbing a rebound, scoring, getting fouled and then completing the three-point play to make it 47-41.
Cameron Johnson scored for Normal U-High, but a free throw by Tyler Pruemer with only four ticks left completed the scoring and wrapped up the victory – ironically, the 19th for the Shoes.
“We can be an incredible team with incredible people,” Reeder noted. “When we play together like we did tonight, that’s when we become an incredible team. That’s our strength.”
With Gaddis, Pruemer and Kremer each scoring, the Shoes jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2½ minutes. It was 10-5 at the end of the first period and another basket by Gaddis stretched it to a seven-point gap early in the second quarter.
But the Pioneers then hit eight of their next nine shots. Kirin sparked the surge with seven points, including a three-pointer, while Dalton Kruger also had a three and Owen Nelson added a couple short jumpers. That all added up to a 14-4 surge and a 19-16 advantage with three minutes left in the first half.
But Gaddis knocked down a three of his own. A little later, Joey Niebrugge and Zac Niebrugge connected on back-to-back shots from behind the arc, helping the Shoes close out the half on a 13-7 run to take a 29-26 lead into the locker room.
“We got some great shots tonight,” Reeder said. “I thought we controlled the pace of the pace. We moved the ball well and were willing to make the extra pass. That’s a testament to our guys. We executed very well on offense.”
A three-pointer from Kruger helped Normal U-High tie the game at 31-31 in the third quarter, but Gaddis made a couple shots and Austin Bloemer added a short jumper. Heading into the final period, T-Town held the 39-35 lead.
The Pioneers had two players in double figures. Kirin finished with 17 points and Kruger added 11. They shot 42 percent overall, connecting on 18-of-45 shots. They were 5-for-22 from long range and 2-for-2 at the foul line. They held a slim 22-21 rebounding edge.
Gaddis shared game scoring honors with 17 points, while Kremer added nine. The Shoes made 17-of-35 shots, a 49 percent clip. They were 3-for-10 from behind the arc and 11-for-17 at the line.
The Shoes, who improved to 19-9, will close out their regular season with two games this week. They will play at home Tuesday night against Mattoon and then travel to Olney on Thursday.
“It only gets harder from here on,” Reeder said. “But this is the time of year it gets fun. You have to come ready to play every game and embrace the hard.”
