Shoes Capture Eighth-Grade State Crown

Teutopolis captured the championship of the Class 8-3A State Tournament Thursday.

TOLONO -- Teutopolis Junior High School claimed the Class 8-3A State boys basketball championship by edging St. Joseph 34-30 Thursday evening at Tolono Junior High School.

St. Joseph edged out to a 12-10 opening quarter but the Shoes came back with a 12-7 run to lead 22-19 at halftime. T-town then had a one-point second half advantage for the championship.

It was the Mitch Show as Mitch Hemmen and Mitch Hardiek tallied 11 points each for the Shoes. Luke Ungrund chipped in with eight points.

T-town ended the season with a 25-3 record while St. Joseph finished at 22-5.

Winfield Wheaton Christian took the third place game with a 53-30 win over Greenville.

Both the seventh and eighth grade Teutopolis boys basketball teams won state championships this season and will be welcomed home Sunday.

A Welcome Home Reception and parade will be held for the team, managers and cheerleaders. A fire truck ride and parade will go through Teutopolis beginning at noon. Everyone will return to Teutopolis Junior High School for a brief ceremony at 12:30 p.m. A cake and punch reception will follow.

Class 8-3A State Tournament

At Tolono Junior High School

Teutopolis           10    12    5    7    --    34

St. Joseph           12      7    4    7    --    30

Teutopolis -- Hemmen 11, Hardiek 11, Ungrund 8, B. Deters 2, McMahon 2

St. Joseph -- Renfrew 8, Grimsley 6, Weaver 5, Miller 4, Wesley 3, Kelly 2, Cain 2