Mater Dei was 15-for-16 from the charity stripe in the final eight minutes.

“Even when we were down after three quarters, I knew we’d keep fighting,” Reeder noted. “Our kids are a resilient group. We made some big shots, but they didn’t miss their free throws. They stepped up and made their shots in the big moments.”

Mater Dei is led by two outstanding players – Schadegg and Caleb Zurliene, the team’s 6’6” senior center. Zurliene scored 27 points and Schadegg added 19.

“Caleb is a really good player,” Reeder noted. “He’s one of the best finishers I’ve seen in high school basketball. Both of those kids made some clutch shots.”

Reeder thought his team missed an opportunity to have a lead at intermission.

“We were rolling,” the THS coach said. “But, again, we had some silly turnovers that helped give them confidence. Had we kept better control of the ball, I think we might have had a six or eight-point lead at halftime. Other than the turnovers, we were playing very well.”

Two early baskets by Brock Deters gave the Shoes a quick 4-0 lead. But Zurliene had two dunks, a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws in the first eight minutes, helping Breese Mater Dei build a slim 12-11 lead heading into the second period.

A three by Ungrund gave the Shoes their final lead of the contest, 14-12. Zurliene had another bucket and Schadegg scored the team’s final eight points, including a pair from behind the arc, to put Mater Dei on top, 22-16.

But a jumper by Evan Wermert and another three from Ungrund, pulled T-Town to within one point, 22-21, heading to the locker room.

Mater Die shot 60 percent for the game and was 11-for-13, an 85 percent clip, in the second half. The Knights made all three of their 3-point attempts and converted 16-of-19 from the foul line in the final two quarters. Overall, they held a 21-2 advantage from the free throw line.

The Shoes were 17-of-47 overall, a 36 percent clip. They were 10-for-26 from long range and just 2-for-6 at the line. They finished with 15 turnovers and held a slim 24-23 rebounding edge.

Ungrund, who finished with 20 points, is one of three seniors on this year’s T-Town squad. Mitch Hardiek and Brock Deters also played their final game for the Shoes.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to kids, no matter what kind of year you have,” Reeder said. “Brock, Luke and Mitch define T-Town basketball. These three kids are not real vocal, but they lead by example. They have set a great example for future T-Town players.

“Our program owes a lot to them,” Reeder added. “It’s tough to find words to express what they mean to this program. That’s why I get emotional and that’s why there wasn’t a dry eye in the locker room. They carry themselves the right way and are great role models. They have been great to my family and will always be part of the Shoes family. It’s just tough to say goodbye to them.”

The Shoes completed their season with a 22-11 record.

“If there’s a luckier coach in high school basketball, I don’t know who it is,” Reeder said. “This community and the parents are incredible. Their support means so much.

“Next year, we’ll have some good kids coming back and some good kids coming up,” the coach added. “We have work to do, but there’s no doubt they’ll put in the time and effort necessary to leave their footprint on this program. We should have another good competitive group for this community to follow and support.”

Breese Mater Dei improved to 28-5. The Knights will face Alton Marquette for the sectional championship Friday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Shelbyville.