Joey Niebrugge scored nine points in the third quarter Saturday, helping the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes rally from a double-digit deficit and go on to post a 56-40 victory at Tolono Unity.

The Shoes were down 24-19 at halftime and trailed by as many as 10 in third period before making the comeback. Joey Niebrugge’s nine points proved to be the spark and James Niebrugge added six more, helping THS rally for a 38-37 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

In the fourth quarter, Caleb Siemer’s eight points helped the Shoes outscore the Rockets 18-3 and secure the win.

Joey Niebrugge finished with a game-high 16 points, while James Niebrugge and Siemer both scored 10.

T-Town improved to 4-1. The Shoes will play their home opener Tuesday night against Paris for Homecoming. They will then travel Friday and play at Bloomington Central Catholic.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Yes, it was just a November game.

But it had the feel of the postseason in late February.

Two good teams.

Playing high-level basketball.

And the game wasn’t decided until the final 3½ minutes.

The Breese Central Cougars outscored Teutopolis 7-0 down the stretch – and 14-3 in the fourth period – to pull away from a tie game and post a 44-33 decision in the championship game Saturday night of the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament.

The two teams had battled to a 30-30 tie after three quarters. A basket by Mason Shubert, the tournament’s MVP, a three-point play by his talented teammate in the backcourt Cody Dickshot and a jumper by Colton Arnold helped the Cougars build a 37-31 edge at the 3:37 mark.

Caleb Siemer responded with a short jumper in the lane 12 seconds later to narrow the gap to four. Unfortunately, the Wooden Shoes failed to score another point, missing their final four shots and turning the ball over once.

Shubert added a free throw, Dickshot another bucket and Chase Lewis capped his game-changing performance with four straight foul shots in the final 72 seconds to seal the win for Breese Central and allow them to repeat as tournament champs.

“We expected this kind of game,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “Give credit to Breese Central. They play excellent defense. We challenged them and made it tough on them, too. It was an excellent game between to very good teams.”

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Kaylee Niebrugge had a big game offensively, leading the Teutopolis Lady Shoes to a 60-57 victory Thursday night at Benton.

Niebrugge pumped in 29 points, helping the Lady Shoes get their fourth win of the season.

T-Town led 13-7 after the first quarter, but the game was tied 28-28 at halftime. Niebrugge scored 14 points in the third period and the Lady Shoes built a 47-40 advantage. Benton was able to cut into that lead down the stretch, but a pair of free throws by Emily Konkel and a three-point play by Niebrugge helped THS stay ahead.

Konkel also reached double figures with 10 points and Courtney Gibson added nine. Niebrugge also had nine rebounds.

T-Town is now 4-1 on the season. The Lady Shoes will play their first home game Monday night, hosting Pana.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Teutopolis has been consistent in each of its first three games.

Consistently good at the beginning.

Consistently not so good later in the game.

It was another Jekyll & Hyde performance Friday afternoon. The Shoes raced to a 23-point halftime lead and then saw their lead dwindle throughout the final two quarters before settling for a 63-55 victory over Mattoon.

T-Town improved to 3-0 in the St. Anthony Thanksgiving Tournament and will seek its first-ever championship Saturday night when it faces Breese Central at 7:30 p.m. The Cougars are also 3-0 in tourney play. They are the defending champs and will be looking for their seventh tournament title.

In all three games of the tournament, the Shoes have followed a similar pattern. Play “lights out” in the opening quarter, build a sizeable lead and then start turning the ball over, missing shots and not playing as tough on defense.

Friday was a repeat performance.

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