Wooden Shoes Advance to 2A Super-Sectional

(THE 2022-2023 TEUTOPOLIS WOODEN SHOES SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS photo courtesy of Repking Media)

The Teutopolis Wooden Shoes came back from 11 points down to defeat the Lawrenceville Indians Friday night 61-54. The Shoes won the Newton 2A Sectional Tournament and advance to the Super-Sectional at SIU Carbondale Monday night. Game time will be 7:30pm as the Shoes will do battle with the Pinckneyville Panthers. Pinckneyville defeated Breese Central 47-43 to win the Pinckneyville Sectional. 

The Shoes and the Indians went toe-to-toe with the lead changing hands many times in the first half. Lawrenceville led 14-13 after one quarter, and outscored Teutopolis 16-11 in the second quarter to lead the contest 30-24 at halftime.

The Shoes parleyed better shooting and a deeper bench in the second half to come from behind. The Shoes posted a 21-16 edge in the third quarter even though Lawrenceville hit a shot at the end of the period to pull back ahead by one, 46-45. 

The fourth quarter was all Teutopolis, though, as the Shoes outpointed Lawrenceville 16-8 to post the seven-point win.

Teutopolis shot 45% from the field, 19 of 42, including 6 of 12 threes. The Shoes also hit on 17 of 22 foul shots and grabbed 30 rebounds against 14 turnovers.

Lawrenceville made 40% of its shots, 19 of 47, including 9 of 23 threes. The Indians were 7 of 9 at the line, pulled down 22 rebounds, and turned the ball over 12 times.

Junior Garrett Gaddis came up huge for Teutopolis, scoring 15 points in the second half to finish with a game-leading 23 points. Gaddis made 8 of 12 shots, including 6 of 8 threes. James Niebrugge also came up big after intermission, scoring 9 of his 13 points after the break. Joey Niebrugge also scored 13 points, including 7 of 8 at the line. Also in double figures was Caleb Siemer, who finished a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Brendan Niebrugge made a foul shot and Caleb Bloemer, Logan Roepke and Mitch Koester went scoreless, but the four played stellar defense and forced numerous steals especially in the second half.

Leyton Ivers led Lawrenceville with 20 points, while Bryant Jenkins scored 14 points. Lawrenceville closed out a great season with a 26-9 record.

Meanwhile, the Wooden Shoes improved to 27-7.

Here is ticket information for Teutopolis fans:

Sales will take place Saturday in the THS high school office. Tickets are $12 and will give you admission to both the 1A Super-Sectional game at 6pm between Tuscola and Mounds Meridian, and the Shoes game at 7:30pm against Pinckneyville. The ticket price is different than what was first announced.

Tickets will be sold as follows:

8:00-8:30am--tournament players, managers and cheerleaders

8:30-8:45am--non-tournament boys basketball players

8:45-9:00am--girls basketball players and Pomerettes

9:00-9:15am--qualified staff

9:15-10:15am--gold seat holders, current Sportsbackers, committee members and students

10:15-11:15am--family pass holders and the general public

Students may also purchase tickets on Monday in the high school office from 7:45-8:20am.

All tickets are reserved seating.

Class 2A Newton Sectional

TEUTOPOLIS (61)

B. Niebrgge 0-1 -- 1, Bloemer 0-0 -- 0, Gaddis 8-1 -- 23, Roepke 0-0 -- 0, Jo. Niebrugge 3-7 -- 13, Koester 0-0 -- 0, Ja. NIebrugge 5-3 -- 13, Siemer 3-5 -- 1,. TOTALS 19 FG, 17 FT.

LAWRENCEVILLE (54)

Hardiman 2-0 -- 5, Sanders 2-0 -- 6, L. Ivers 8-2 -- 20, Halter 0-0 -- 0, Jenkins 4-3 -- 14, Pargin 3-2 -- 9. TOTALS 19 FG, 7 FT.

Teutopolis                    14    10    21    16    --    61

Lawrenceville              13    17    16      8    --    54

3-point FG -- Teutopolis 6 (Gaddis 6), Lawrenceville 9 (Jenkins 3, Sanders 2, L. Ivers 2, Hardiman 1, Pargin 1).