Teutopolis Lady Shoes Reach Elite Eight

The Teutopolis Lady Shoes defeated the previously unbeaten Paris Lady Tigers 43-29 to win the Paris 2A Sectional Tournament. With the win, the Lady Shoes advance to the McLeansboro 2A Super-Sectional. The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3 and www.kjcountry.com. 

The Lady Shoes were facing a team that was 34-0 on the season and had defeated T-Town twice. Add to it, the game was played on Paris' home floor and you get some measure of the task the Shoes were up against.

But, they won. And they led the game start-to-finish.

A big first quarter was a key, as Teutopolis led 16-7 at the end of the period. The Lady Shoes went on to take as much as a 14-point lead before Paris pulled within 24-14 at halftime. 

You knew Paris would make a run. It came in the third quarter and the Lady Tigers were within six points, 29-23, heading to the final period. Paris actually cut the deficit to four points before Teutopolis regained the momentum. Late foul shots allowed the Lady Shoes to outscore Paris 14-6 in the final period to win by 14 points.

Teutopolis shot 46% on the night, 13 of 28, including 3 of 9 threes. The Shoes made 14 of 18 foul shots, turned the ball over just nine times, and grabbed 25 rebounds.

Paris was held to 26% from the field, 10 of 39, including 4 of 17 threes. The Lady Tigers hit five of eight free throws, committed just eight turnovers, and pulled down 24 rebounds.

Olivia Niemerg led Teutopolis with 17 points on five of nine shooting, made six of eight foul shots, and also grabbed seven rebounds. Lexie Niebrugge was also in double figures with 11 points and led with eight rebounds. Also for Teutopolis: Ciara Roepke 8, Karsyn Mette 4, Isabella Hardiek 2, and Hope Bueker 1.

Sarah Isaf led Paris with 11 points. 

Paris closes out its remarkable season at 34-1.

Teutopolis, meanwhile, improved to 25-8 and will play Monday at 7pm at McLeansboro against Carterville. Carterville defeated Nashville 54-42 to win their own sectional.

Meanwhile, congratulations to Teutopolis' Olivia Niemerg, who advanced to the finals of the Class 2A Country Financial Three-Point Showdown, which will resume Thursday at the State Tournament in Normal.

Class 2A Paris Sectional

TEUTOPOLIS (43)

L. Niebrugge 3-5 -- 11, Roepke 2-2 -- 8, Schumacher 0-0 --0, Niemerg 5-6 -- 17, Bueker 0-1 -- 1, Mette 2-0 -- 4, Hardiek 1-0 -- 2. TOTALS 13 Fg, 14 FT.

PARIS (29)

Gages 1-0 -- 2, Tingley 0-0 --0, Littleton 0-0 --0, Young 1-0 -- 2, Isaf 4-0 -- 11, Krabel 2-0 -- 4, crampton 1-0 -- 3, Rigdon 1-5 -- 7. TOTALS 10 Fg, 5 FT.

Teutopolis              16    8    5    14    --    43

Paris                         7    7    9      6    --    29

3-point FG -- Teutopolis 3 (Roepke 2, Niemerg 1), Paris 4 (Isaf 3, Crampton 1).