Emily Konkel went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the overtime period, helping the Teutopolis Lady Shoes come away with a 60-57 win Thursday night in Mattoon.

It capped a comeback that saw T-Town trailing 34-22 at halftime.

Kaylee Niebrugge scored seven points and Molly Ruholl knocked down a three-pointer in the third period, as the Lady Shoes outscored Mattoon 14-6 to get within 40-36 heading into the fourth quarter.

Ruholl then connected on three more shots from behind the arc, helping THS tied the game at 51-51 and force the extra period.

T-Town had three players in double figures. Niebrugge had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Konkel finished with 17 points and Ruholl, who had five three-pointers, added 15.

The Lady Shoes, who improved to 14-2 on the season, will return to action Saturday. They will travel to Freeburg.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

For one half of basketball, the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes hung with the tournament favorites, despite there being a lid on the basket.

That lid never came off in the second half either and Lincoln-Way East showed why they were considered the best team in this year’s 16-team field.

The Griffins used a big third quarter to take control of the game, en route to a 56-38 win over the Shoes in the championship game of the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic.

This was the fourth time – and third straight year – LWE was the title game and its second championship. The Griffins were also winners in 2019.

“They’re big, strong and fast. And oh yeah, they can shoot the ball, too,” THS coach Chet Reeder said following the game. “Whoever beats this team will have to do a tremendous job. If they aren’t playing in the state tournament in Champaign, I’ll be surprised.”

But for the first 16 minutes, the Shoes were very competitive.

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It wasn’t the prettiest game offensively, but that Teutopolis defense came through with shining colors.

The Wooden Shoes limited Monticello to just nine first-half points, built a double-digit lead and then pulled away for a 47-29 road victory Tuesday night.

Brendan Niebrugge knocked down two three-pointers and scored eight points, helping T-Town build a 10-5 lead after the first period and the Shoes were never headed. They led 19-9 at intermission.

The Shoes connected on three shots from long range in the third period. James Niebrugge had one of those and scored nine points, as THS outscored the Sages 16-10 and opened a 16-point spread, 35-19, heading into the final eight minutes.

Teutopolis had three players in double figures – James Niebrugge with 15, Brendan Niebrugge with 11 and Caleb Siemer with 10.

THS improved to 13-2 overall. The Shoes will return to action Saturday afternoon with a game at home against Warrensburg-Latham.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

It was a typical rivalry game.

A large, energetic crowd.

And a close, tightly-contested game. The largest lead by either team was seven points.

With six minutes left, the game was tied.

But the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes went on an 8-0 run that proved to be decisive.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Shoes had a 50-43 victory over the St. Anthony Bulldogs and a berth in the championship game of the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Classic.

“Down the stretch, we had some key stops, key rebounds and key baskets,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “And our defense was suffocating that fourth quarter.’”

A long three-pointer from the top of the key by Griffin Sehy right before the third-quarter horn sounded lifted St. Anthony to a 34-34 tie heading into the final eight minutes.

T-Town’s Brendan Niebrugge had a bucket and a pair of free throws and Brock Fearday answered with two jumpers, leaving the game knotted at 38-38 at the 6:11 mark.

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