Published on March 3, 2026 7:16 am
Last Updated on March 3, 2026 7:21 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
BENTON — A regional championship . . . a sectional title . . . a shot at heading to the State Tournament . . . most area girls basketball teams would love to put those highlights on their resume for the 2025-26 season.
Teutopolis achieved all those honors but would have loved one more victory. Unfortunately for the Wooden Shoes, their season came to a close against Breese Central by a 46-33 tally Monday evening at the Class 2A Benton Super-Sectional.
The Cougars had defeated T-town earlier in the regular season by a 59-39 tally.
Breese Central continued that dominance in the super-sectional contest, keeping the Shoes from going inside and interrupting their shots as T-town finished hitting only 34.3 percent from the field.
The Cougars moved into a 12-3 opening quarter lead as they struck from long-range. Taylor Trame put in two three-pointers and Alexia Morris hit a three-pointer and a free throw.
The lone basket for T-town in seven attempts was a three-pointer by Anna Probst.
Things didn’t get much better in the second quarter. Breese Central had a 10-7 edge to lead 22-10 at halftime. Once again, T-town had to rely on scoring from the outside as Jersey Gaddis connected on two three-pointers.
Trame scored five points and Lexy Santel put in a three-pointer.
The Shoes finally showed some life in the third period with an 11-8 run to trail 30-21 going into the final quarter. Kelsey Niemerg hit a basket and went to the line twice, hitting all four of her free throw attempts. Allie Ruholl and Gaddis hit a basket each.
But Breese Central got back in the groove in the final quarter, putting the game into the victory category with a 16-12 run. Santel took over the scoring. After hitting only one three-pointer through the first three quarters. Santel nailed three from beyond the arc.
The Cougars had two players finish with double figures. Trame led the way with 17 points on six field goals and two of six at the line. Santel added 14 points on four three-pointers and two of two at the line.
The Cougars hit 48.4 percent from the field, 50 percent at the line and 52.9 percent from three-point range with nine.
Trame pulled down seven rebounds and had five assists in the contest. Santel and Lily Butler had four boards each.
Breese Central advances with a 30-3 record to the Class 1A State Tournament
Tetuopolis had only one player in double figures. Niemerg led the way with four field goals and four of four at the line for 13 points. Malea Helmink led the team in rebounds with 11.
The Shoes finished the game hitting 34.3 percent from the field, 85.7 percent at the line and 26.3 percent from three-point range.
Although T-town didn’t reach the State Tournament, the Shoes still had a stellar season, finishing with a 27-7 record and tying Chicago Marshall for most victories by an Illinois high school girls basketball team with 1,230 each.
Coach Laurie Thompson also hit her 500th career coaching victory.
Monday’s game was heard on KJ Country 102.3
In other super-sectionals, Pleasant Plains defeated Downs Tri-Valley 54-37, Elgin St. Edward won over Chicago Phillips 57-51 and Byron handed Pontiac a 66-48 loss.
The Class 1A State Tournament will begin Thursday with Pleasant Plains against Breese Central at 2:30 p.m. followed by Elgin St. Edwards facing Byron at 4:15 p.m.
The third place contest is set for Thursday at 8:15 p.m. while the State championship will be held Saturday at noon.
Class 2A Benton Super-Sectional
TEUTOPOLIS (33)
Probst 1-0 — 3, Niemerg 4-4 — 13, Ruholl 1-1 — 3, Helmink 2-1 — 6, Martin 0-0 — 0, Gaddis 3-0 — 8, Mette 0-0 — 0, Bueker 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 11 FG, 6 FT.
BREESE CENTRAL (46)
Nettemeier 2-0 — 4, Trame 6-2 — 17, Santel 4-2 — 14, Butler 2-1 — 6, Morris 1-2 — 5, Shubert 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 15 FG, 7 FT.
Teutopolis 3 7 11 12 — 33
Breese Central 12 10 8 16 — 46
3-point FG — Teutopolis 5 (J. Gaddis 2, Helmink 1, Niemerg 1, An. Probst 1), Breese Central 9 (Santel 4, Trame 3, Butler 1, Morris 1).