Published on December 16, 2025 7:09 am
Last Updated on December 16, 2025 7:09 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
TEUTOPOLIS — It was quite an evening at Teutopolis High School for girls basketball fans.
The Wooden Shoes came out a 45-40 winner in a close contest and the crowd celebrated Coach Laurie Thompson who recently claimed her 500th victory as a coach.
Coach Thompson is now the only coach in the state of Illinois to have 500 wins after taking over the program from another coach, Dennis Koester, who also had 500 wins. The game was heard on KJ Country 102.3.
Thompson’s crew gave her another victory as the Shoes took an 18-12 opening quarter lead.
Sophia Martin and Kelsey Niemerg were the offensive catalysts in the first quarter with six points each. Niemerg hit three baskets while Martin connected on a regular basket, a three-pointer and a free throw.
Nancy Ruholl scored eight her team’s 12 points on three baskets and two of two at the line.
The Bulldogs came back with an 11-9 second quarter and this time it was St. Anthony fans celebrating as Ruholl hit her 10th point of the game with two free throws and that pushed her into the 2,000 points for her career category. She finished with nine of the 11 points in the period.
St. Anthony still trailed at the half, 27-23.
The Bulldogs continued on with an 11-7 third quarter to tie the score at 34-34. Ruholl added on nine more points on a three, two free throws and two regular baskets.
But the Shoes were determined to pick up another victory for Coach Thompson. They came back in the final period as Niemerg hit two baskets and a free throw for five points. The Shoes ended up connecting on seven of 14 free throws for the win.
Niemerg hit seven of 10 field goals and one of two free throws for 15 points to lead the Shoes. Anna Probst added eight. Malea Helmink led the team in rebounds with four. Sophia Martin had two assists.
St. Anthony was led by Ruholl with 29 points on nine field goals and eight of 10 free throws. Lilly Gannaway, Ruholl and Ali Kollman led in rebounds with five each. Gannaway, Ruholl and Jackie Vonderheide had one assist each.
Neither team shot well as St. Anthony hit 33.3 percent from the field while T-town was 31.3 percent. The Bulldogs did connect from the free throw line with 13 of 16 for 81.3 percent. The Shoes had 13 of 25 for 52 percent.
The big statistic came in the turnover department. The Shoes only let loose of the ball 10 times while St. Anthony coughed up the ball 22 times.
T-town remained unbeaten at 10-0 on the season while St. Anthony dropped to 7-3.
Both teams won’t be back in action until Thursday. St. Anthony will play host to crosstown rival Effingham. The game is a varsity only contest and will start at 6 p.m. and can be heard on KJ Country 102.5.
Teutopolis will also play host Thursday. The Wooden Shoes welcome Newton with the junior varsity contest beginning at 6 p.m. and the varsity to follow.
At Teutopolis
ST. ANTHONY (40)
Gannaway 0-0 — 0, Ruholl 9-8 — 29, Vonderheide 0-0 — 0, Kollman 2-3 — 7, Lauritzen 0-2 — 2, Schultz 1-0 — 2. TOTALS 12 FG, 13 FT.
TEUTOPOLIS (45)
Probst 2-3 — 8, Niemerg 7-1 — 15, Ruholl 0-2 — 2, Helmink 2-3 — 7, Martin 2-2 — 7, Gaddis 1-2 — 4, Tegeler 1-0 — 2, Bloemer 0-0 — 0, Mette 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 15 FG, 13 FT.
St. Anthony 12 11 11 6 — 40
Teutopolis 18 9 7 11 — 45
3-point FG — St. Anthony 3 (Ruholl 3), Teutopolis 2 (Probst 1, Martin 1).