Basketball

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

It was an odd game.

And certainly not a well-played one.

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes always seemed to be in control.

During a five-minute stretch in the third quarter, however, a seemingly comfortable 20-point edge dwindled to just four.

But when the fourth period opened, T-Town went on a decisive run, quickly regained its double-digit advantage and rolled to a 55-39 victory Tuesday night over Paris.

It was the THS home opener and it was also Homecoming Night.

“I just came from our locker room and even the boys said this was not acceptable,” THS coach Chet Reeder said. “We didn’t play up to our standards. There was no intensity. We were just out there.

“We didn’t have our best stuff, that’s for sure,” Reeder added. “It was the worst we’ve played this year. We’re still playing a lot of inexperience and we’re still learning and growing. But despite not playing well, the boys still found a way to get it done.”

Chloe Probst poured in 29 points and three other players scored in double figures Monday night, as the Teutopolis Lady Shoes cruised to a dominating 84-35 win at home over Pana.

Probst tallied 10 points in the opening period, helping the Lady Shoes break out a 24-9 lead. She scored 11 more in the second quarter, as the hosts built a commanding 47-20 advantage by halftime.

It was a 72-30 bulge after three quarters resulting in the continuously running block over the final eight minutes.

Probst made 11 of 16 shots overall, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Malea Helmink, after missing a couple games due to a concussion, was impressive in her return. She didn’t miss a shot, going 7-for-7 from the floor. She finished with 15 points. Anna Probst and Kelsey Niemerg were also in double figures, each scoring 10.

The Lady Shoes improved to 8-1 on the season. They will play again at home Thursday night against St. Joe-Ogden.

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes traveled to Tolono Unity Saturday and brought home a 56-43 victory over the Rockets.

T-Town built a 13-10 lead after the opening eight minutes and never trailed. The Shoes were up 29-24 at halftime and then used a 16-8 scoring surge to expand their lead to 45-32 heading into the final quarter.

Teutopolis featured a balance scoring attack. Mick Niebrugge was the only player in double figures, finishing with 12 points. But Issac McWhorter and Landyn Thoele both scored nine, Alex Kremer had eight and Gavin Addis and Drew Hoene both added seven.

The Shoes, who improved to 4-1, will play their first game at home on Tuesday. They will host Paris and it will be Homecoming Night.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Laurie Thompson tried to warn her team.

Two weeks earlier, her Teutopolis Lady Shoes had crushed Olney, 67-19, in the season-opening tournament in Paris.

“I told them that wouldn’t happen again,” Thompson said.

And she was right.

The Lady Tigers came ready to play Saturday and the Lady Shoes did not.

At least, for a half.

Thanks to an effective full-court press and the play of Eva Mette off the bench, the Lady Shoes were able to celebrate their home opener in winning fashion.

They erased a four-point halftime deficit, outscored Olney by 18 points in the second half and rolled to a 47-33 victory.

“I stressed that that to the girls, but they didn’t come ready to play,” Thompson said.