Basketball

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Chet Reeder said last year’s basketball team was the quickest one he’s ever had.

So, what about this season?

“I believe this group is even faster,” Reeder said about his Teutopolis Wooden Shoes team that will open their 2022-23 schedule Monday night at the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament. “Plus, we have more length and they are very versatile.”

If this group of Shoes can gel as a group and play well at the defensive end, it just might be the formula for another successful season in Teutopolis.

THS is coming off a 26-8 campaign that came within one win of reaching the Class 2A State Tournament. The Shoes season ended with a super sectional loss to Nashville, the eventual state champion.

But with three starters returning, plus another player that saw significant minutes the second half of the season, expectations are high once again in T-Town.

“In addition to our experience, I believe rebounding and playing in transition will be strengths of this team,” said Reeder, who is entering his fifth season at the helm and features a 94-29 overall mark at the school. “This group likes to get out and go.

“You can tell when we’re playing right,” Reeder added. “We’re rebounding, getting the ball out and playing quick. These kids really like to play in space.”

Emily Konkel buried four three-pointers in the first half Thursday, helping the Teutopolis Lady Shoes build a lead they never relinquished, en route to a 44-30 victory over Carterville in an opening-round game of the Centralia Tournament.

Konkel connected on her first three in the opening quarter and then knocked down three more in the second period, helping THS break an 8-8 tie and build a 21-13 lead at intermission. Konkel had 14 of her team’s points by halftime.

T-Town led by seven points, 28-21, after three quarters and then outscored Carterville 16-9 in the final eight minutes to post the 14-point decision.

Konkel finished with a game-high 18 points and also pulled down seven rebounds. Chloe Probst added eight points and eight rebounds, while Kaylee Niebrugge scored seven.

The Lady Shoes, now 2-0 on the young season, will return to tournament action Saturday and play two games – 11 a.m. against Centralia; and 6 p.m. against Highland.

Mandi Bushur was at the Super Sectional game Monday night in Carbondale. She took a lot of pictures and they are available for purchase. Just right click on the link below and then click on Open Link In New Window. That will take you to the photo gallery. If you see photos you want to buy, just click on the individual photo and follow the instructions.

If you have any questions, call Mandi at 217-663-0084.

TTOWN SUPER 22

Kaylee Niebrugge poured in 29 points and helped lead the Teutopolis Lady Shoes to a season-opening 60-55 victory Tuesday night in Mt. Vernon.

The game was close throughout. Niebrugge had 15 points in the first half and the Lady Shoes held a slim 31-28 edge at intermission. THS led 47-40 heading into the final eight minutes and finished with the five-point decision.

Niebrugge connected on 13-of-22 shots overall, including 3-for-5 from behind the arc. She completed the double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds. Chloe Probst also scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points and Emily Konkel helped THS hold a 43-28 rebounding edge by pulling down 10 boards.

T-Town will return to action Thursday in the Centralia Tournament. The Lady Shoes will face Carterville at 6 p.m. They will play two more games on Saturday – 11 a.m. against Centralia; and 6 p.m. against Highland.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

It was the worst start possible.

And it simply didn’t get any better.

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes experienced their worst shooting performance of the season. They had two quarters they didn’t make a single shot and scored only one point during those 16 minutes. They shot a frigid 17 percent overall and failed to connect from behind the arc.

It was just “one of those nights.”

Unfortunately, it came in the super sectional and proved to be season-ending.

The Nashville Hornets broke out to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. The Shoes continued to play hard, but simply couldn’t make shots.

The end result was a 44-18 setback Monday night in the Carbondale 2A Super Sectional, played at the Banterra Center on the Southern Illinois University campus.

“Maybe it was nerves a little. It’s tough to explain,” THS coach Chet Reeder said a few moments after the game. “I thought we were ready. The boys were loose and confident. I thought they battled tremendously on defense. We just couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”

In any big game, getting off to a good start is important. The opening eight minutes for the Shoes was a worst case scenario.