Published on February 27, 2026 7:23 am
Last Updated on February 27, 2026 7:28 am
BY MILLIE LANGE
OLNEY — The Teutopolis girls basketball machine keeps rolling along. The latest opponent . . . Paris by a 40-30 count.
Coach Laurie Thompson’s crew went into the championship game of the Class 2A Olney Sectional Thursday evening with a 26-6 record while facing a Paris team that stood at 26-5.
T-town trailed after the opening quarter by a 9-4 tally as both teams had some jitters.
The Wooden Shoes hit only two of 10 baskets while the Tigers connected on three of 10. Not a stellar shooting percentage for either team.
As the nerves came under control, T-town whipped out a 12-4 second quarter run to pull within 22-20 at halftime.
The Shoes’ Kelsey Niemerg went on a tear, hitting three of four baskets and was two of two at the line for eight points. Malea Helmink stepped in, knocking down two baskets for the rest of the scoring in the quarter.
T-town wasn’t hitting that well from the field, with only 30.4 percent at the half. But Paris was even worse, connecting on only 29.4 percent.
Three players came out after halftime to put in two baskets each and the Shoes moved into a 48-40 lead going into the final quarter. Although the Shoes were still struggling from the field, Niemerg, Helmink and Anna Probst connected on two baskets each.
Paris struggled to find the range in the third period as Paedyn Keys hit a three-pointer and Jacie Young had a basket for only five points. The T-town defense was working hard.
In the final quarter, Paris broke loose but T-town was also on a roll. Both teams scored 12 points.
Macey Bicknell tried to pull her team back into contention, hitting three baskets and three free throws for nine of her team’s 12 points. But it wasn’t enough.
The Shoes’ Jersey Gaddis went to the free throw line, connecting on eight of 10 and Anna Probst put in two free throws while Niemerg nailed a shot.
Neither team hit well for the game. Paris connected on only 26 percent from the field while T-town was 33 percent. The Shoes also shot better from the free throw line with 55 percent.
Niemerg was the only double figure performer for the Shoes with 16 on seven of 12 from the field and two of two at the line.
Gaddis, Niemerg, Probst and Allie Ruholl had a steal each as T-town’s defense was working.
The Tigers were led by Bicknell with 13 points on five field goals and three free throws. Keys chipped in with 10.
Paris was 54 percent at the free throw line. T-town had a slight 23-21 rebounding edge.
Paris ends the season with a 26-6 record.
T-town moves into the Elite Eight with a 27-6 mark. The Shoes will now face Breese Central at 6 p.m. Monday in the Benton Super-Sectional.
Breese Central downed Nashville at the Chester Sectional by a 58-48 count.
Teutopolis and Breese Central met during the regular season. The Shoes hosted Central and suffered a 59-39 loss.
Class 2A Olney Sectional
TEUTOPOLIS (40)
Bloemer 0-0 — 0, J. Gaddis 0-8 — 8, Helmink 4-0 — 8, Martin 0-0 — 0, Mette 0-0 — 0, Niemerg 7-2 — 16, An. Probst 3-2 — 8, Ruholl 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 14 FG, 12 FT.
PARIS (30)
Camp 0-2 — 2, Edwards 0-0 — 0, Key 4-0 — 10, Young 0-3 — 3, Landsaw 0-0 — 0, Adams 0-0 — 0, Bicknell 5-3 — 13, Young 1-0 — 2, Coombes 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 10 FG, 8 FT.
Teutopolis 4 12 13 12 — 40
Paris 9 4 5 12 — 30
3-point FG — Teutopolis 0, Paris 2 (Key 2).