The Shoes will face a talented Benton squad that will enter the game riding a 17-game winning streak and sporting a 31-3 overall record. The Rangers are coming off a 34-32 win over Bresse Central in the sectional final at Benton.

Tipoff at the Banterra Center – located on the Southern Illinois University campus in Carbondale – is set for 7 p.m.

Once again, the team from T-Town will be the underdog. That’s nothing new. Very few people expected this team to even be playing in a super sectional.

Some believed they had a chance to extend the school’s consecutive streak of 14 straight regional titles. But others doubted they could get past Newton, especially since it was on the Eagles home floor. It wasn’t easy, but the Shoes prevailed 50-48, thanks to a pair of clutch free throws by Joey Niebrugge in the final seconds.

But that’s surely as far they would go, right?

Next up was Tolono Unity, the state’s top-ranked team in Class 2A and a team that had already beaten the Shoes earlier in the season. Again, no easy task. But T-Town got an outstanding performance from an unexpected source – Austin Bloemer – and came away with a 48-39 win.

After that, a few more fans started jumping on the bandwagon. Another tough test awaited in the sectional championship against another tough team – St. Joe-Ogden. But Teutopolis already had a double-digit win over the Spartans in January.

Could this Shoes team actually win the sectional championship? Make it back to the super sectional? Be just one win away from consecutive trips to the state tournament?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

Again, unexpected stars emerged. Mitch Koester knocked down four three-pointers. Tyler Pruemer scored in double digits, as did Zac Niebrugge, who came off the bench and delivered the dagger with a three-pointer in the final minute.

When it was over, it was the throng of players and fans from this small basketball-crazy community celebrating on the Shelbyville High School floor and holding the sectional championship plaque high for all to see. The final – T-Town 61; St. Joe 55 in overtime.

So how have they done it? I think the answer to that is just by believing in themselves.

I know that sounds simplistic. But what other explanation is there?

There are no real go-to guys on this team. No all-state performers. But when it comes to hard work, effort, determination and just sheer belief and trust in their coaches and teammates, this team’s roster is full of super stars.

Other teams may have more gifted players. Some teams are quicker, taller and more athletic. Some shoot better, run faster and jump higher. But nobody will out-work this group of Shoes. It simply won’t happen.

Before the season ever began, there were several questions surrounding this team. Mostly concerning the offensive end.

You never wonder about the defensive effort when a Wooden Shoes team is on the floor. In T-Town, I’m pretty sure babies come out of the womb in a defensive stance.

But many believed – and this old writer was one of them – this team would be challenged at the offensive end of the floor. And that has proven to be the case several times during the season. A couple of the losses can easily be traced to the inability to put the ball in the hole on a consistent basis.

This team was never going to be an offensive juggernaut. Consistently scoring in the upper 60s – or even cracking the 70s or 80s – was almost unimaginable. It just wasn’t going to happen. They only scored 60 or more points in seven games this year. And the Shoes were in the 70s just once – 79 against Red Hill in the season-opening tournament back in November.

They’re still not scoring a lot of points in the postseason. Their totals so far have been 59, 50, 48 and 61 – and the 61 took overtime.

But even so, they’re better on offense right now. And the reason is it’s not up to Garrett Gaddis and Joey Niebrugge any longer to score the bulk of the points. Bloemer, Koester, Pruemer and Zac Niebrugge have proven that the last two games. And if you don’t pay attention to Alex Kremer, Drew Hoene or Logan Lawson, they can score as well.

I can’t get over how much more confident they all look on the offensive end of the floor. I like the fact they’re now looking for and willing to take a shot when it comes in the flow of the offense. If that’s Garret or Joey, fine. If that’s Mitch, Tyler, Zac or the rest of the cast, that’s fine, too. They’re all proving they can knock down shots.

Regardless of what happens Monday night, this team should be proud of what it has accomplished this season. And I’d be remiss without acknowledging much of the credit is also due to the coaching staff. This group of Chet Reeder, Justin Fleener, Dave Pruemer, Luke Ungrund and Chris Ungrund is outstanding – as coaches, role models and just good guys.

They have continually been voices of encouragement and praise, always with a goal of building confidence and camaraderie. Don’t get me wrong. They can coach these kids hard if necessary, and there are always times during a season when that is necessary.

But when you watch these kids play, they’re having fun. Yes, they’re working hard, but they’re playing a game they like and enjoying it. And that’s just not possible if the coaches and players aren’t working together for a common goal. There’s a respect and even a love for each other – through the good times and bad. You can see it.

In full transparency, I was one of the people that did not think the Shoes would make it this far. I believed the inconsistency at the offensive end would result in an earlier end to the season.

I can’t tell you how happy I am to be proven wrong.

I can’t wait to see Wooden Shoes Nation file into the arena in Carbondale Monday night. I’m looking forward to seeing that energetic and loud student group called The Shoe Box.

I am no longer a doubter. But for any of you doubters that still remain, I’m ecstatic this team will have the opportunity to prove you wrong once again.

Go get ‘em Shoes.

Let’s make another trip to Champaign.