By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
For the third time in five days, the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes faced teams that were taller, quicker and more athletic.
For the third game in a row, T-Town faced good Class 3A squads that have a combined 46-18 record.
And for the third straight time, the Shoes battled all the way, finishing 1-2 during that stretch.
Tuesday night’s matchup was against Mt. Zion, who some would say was the best of those three teams.
T-Town was tied and had a chance to take the lead in the final two minutes. But the inability to make shots down the stretch was the difference, as the Braves came away with a 45-40 decision at J.H. Griffin Gymnasium.
“To be honest, we were outmatched at every position the last three games,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “But we don’t expect anybody to feel sorry for us. Our kids expect to play well against these teams.
“I am so proud of our group,” Reeder added. “It sucks that we lost, but playing these types of teams will, hopefully, help us. I know our kids keep believing in each other and lifting each other up.”
A three-pointer by Henry Thompson just ahead of the third quarter buzzer sent the Shoes into the final eight minutes with a slim 34-33 edge. Unfortunately, that was the last shot they made.
The coach drew up the play.
And it worked to perfection.
Almost.
Drew Hoene dribbled the ball up the floor quickly, drove to the lane and then made a bounce pass to an open Mick Niebrugge, who went up for the shot.
And missed it.
But the senior stayed with it, grabbed the rebound, went up again and scored. Plus, he got fouled and completed the three-point play.
That happened with 13 seconds left in the game.
And when the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes made a stop in the closing seconds, they had a 54-51 overtime victory Saturday night over Champaign Central in the third place game of the Salem Invitational Basketball Tournament.
“Our guys showed grit and toughness all night,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “We played great team defense and rebounded like crazy against a team that physically outmatched us.”
It was the second night in a row the Shoes battled a talented Class 3A school from beginning to end. They did the same thing the previous night against Mt. Vernon, before falling 53-43 in the semifinals.
By Steve Raymond
ET Sports Report
If people just look at the final score, it will show a loss for the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes.
But it wouldn’t begin to tell the whole story.
Mt. Vernon was taller, quicker and more athletic at virtually every position. But the Wooden Shoes battled the talented Class 3A team all 32 minutes.
The Rams used a decisive 7-0 run in the third period Friday night to widen their lead and eventually post a 53-43 victory over T-Town in a semifinal game of the Salem Invitational Basketball Tournament.
Mt. Vernon will now face Centralia for the tournament championship tonight (Saturday). That game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
The Wooden Shoes will play in the third place game against Champaign Central. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” THS coach Chet Reeder admitted. “They’re a tremendous team with very good athletes.
“Plus, we knew it would be physical. 3A schools play a more physical game,” Reeder added. “That’s why we play these teams and put ourselves in these spots. We know the postseason will be more physical. This helps us get ready for that. Even though we didn’t get a win tonight, this was a good thing for us.”
Two minutes into the fourth period, Mick Niebrugge connected on a three from the top of the key to get the Shoes within six points, 42-36.
The Teutopolis Lady Shoes got off to a slow start and never recovered Saturday, dropping a 60-41 decision to Edwardsville in the fifth place game of the Apex Network Physical Therapy Highland Girls Basketball Tournament.
The Shoes finished tourney play 2-2.
T-Town made only one field goal and scored just three points in the first eight minutes. By that time, the Lady Tigers had built an 11-3 lead.
Anna Probst made a pair of three-pointers and Kelsey Niemerg added another in the second period, but Edwardsville still increased its advantage and owned a 25-14 edge at halftime.
The Shoes turned in their best scoring in the third quarter, but the Lady Tigers knocked down five shots from long range, including four by Lainey McFarlin, to take a 43-29 lead into the final period.
McFarlin led all scorers with 20 points.
Anna Probst was the only T-Town player to crack double figures, finishing with 11.
The Lady Shoes are 18-6. They will now get a few days of rest. They won’t play again until Friday when they host Effingham.
It appears the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes have broken out of their shooting woes.
After scoring 40 or fewer points in the last three games, the Shoes had that total at halftime Thursday night.
T-Town totally dominated throughout, finishing with a lopsided 69-33 victory over Charleston in an opening-round game of the Salem Invitational Basketball Tournament.
The Shoes raced to a 23-10 lead after the opening eight minutes and extended the margin to 25 points, 40-15, at intermission. After outscoring the Trojans 22-12 in the third period to stretch the lead to 35 points, 62-27, it was a continuously running clock in the final quarter.
Teutopolis had a balanced scoring attack, even though Alex Kremer was the only player in double figures with 16 points. Brody Thoele, Mick Niebrugge and Drew Hoene each scored nine and Jason Kreke added eight.
The Shoes, now 13-6, will be back in action tonight (Friday). They will face Mt. Vernon in a semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. If they win, they will play for the tournament championship at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. If they lose, they will play in the third place game at 6 p.m.
Page 6 of 77
- You are here:
-
Home
-
Teutopolis
- Basketball
