Lady Shoes Claim Third Place Honors at 2A Tourney

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Published on February 24 2018 10:29 pm
Last Updated on February 24 2018 10:30 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Teutopolis Lady Shoes bounced back well from a double-overtime loss in the Class 2A State Tournament and defeated the Eureka Hornets 45-32 to claim third place honors Saturday evening. The contest at Redbird Arena at Illinois State University was heard on 979XFM and www.979xfm.com

The game was in some ways a reversal from Friday night's semifinal game. In that contest, Teutopolis shut out Chicago Marshall 11-0 in the first quarter and led by 15 points before falling to the Commandos. On Saturday night, the Lady Shoes trailed by as many as nine points early before storming back late, shutting out Eureka 11-0 in the fourth quarter.

Teutopolis held Eureka to 25.5% shooting in the game, 12 of 47, including 3 of 24 in the second half and 0 for 9 in the final period. Eureka made 2 of 16 threes. The Lady Shoes shot 37% from the field, making 15 of 41, but missed all six three-point tries. T-Town was 15 of 20 from the line, Eureka made all six of its free throws. The Lady Shoes committed eight turnovers to nine for Eureka. T-Town outrebounded Eureka 32 to 28.

Jolene Bueker led Teutopolis with 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Sophomore Claire Bushur came off the bench to play a wonderful game, scoring 13 points and pulling down 11 rebounds including six offensive boards. Sadie Bueker scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds. Four players scored two points, Morgan Mette, Marianna Hemmen, Macy Michels and Olivia Niemerg.

Tessa Leman, averaging just under 20 points per game for Eureka, was held scoreless in the second half and finished with 10 points although she also grabbed 10 rebounds. Lauren Ausmus and Courtney Heffren each scored six points with Ausmus pulling down nine rebounds. Natalie Bardwell scored five points, Darby Leman three, and Natalie Anderson two points.

Teutopolis finished the season with a 29-7 record and finished third for the third time in four trips to State for Coach Laurie Thompson, with a second place finish in the other trip. Eureka finished 28-5 in its first trip to State since 1988, when they also lost to T-Town.

The Lady Shoes will be saying goodbye to seniors Macy Michels, Marianna Hemmen and Jolene Bueker.

A Homecoming Reception for the Lady Shoes is set for this afternoon. A fire truck ride through the village is set to start at 12:30pm with a ceremony to follow about 1pm in J.H. Griffin Gym at Teutopolis High School.

Chicago Marshall won the 2A state championship game, marking a ninth state championship for Coach Dorothy Gaters' team. Marshall beat Chicago Harlan 53-44.

Danville Schlarman won the 1A state championship game, downing Stockton 53-31. Lebanon won the third place game 46-31 over Okaw Valley.