T-town journey leads to third at state

Millie Lange
Effingham Daily News

February 25, 2008 12:39 pm

— TEUTOPOLIS — Gold and blue balloons, a huge cake and plenty of folks welcomed home the third-place Teutopolis High School girls’ basketball team Sunday afternoon at J. H. Griffin Gymnasium.
After a ride atop a fire engine through the streets of Teutopolis, the girls’ squad walked into the gym to a standing ovation after finishing the season with a 31 to 5 record and a third-place finish at the first-ever Class 2A State Tournament at Redbird Arena in Normal.
The Wooden Shoes fell to the eventual state champion Warsaw West Hancock County 43 to 38 Friday evening and then downed Kankakee Bishop McNamara 50 to 40 in the third-place game Saturday evening.
“Welcome home,” commented Greg Beck, Teutopolis High School principal.
After a prayer and the national anthem, Superintendent Dan Niemerg stepped to the podium.
“You had to beat the No. 1 and No. 3 teams to get where you were,” said Niemerg. “That was an excellent job. You have a strong work ethic, and may the hard work live on through you. Laurie, (Thompson, T-town coach) you’re on your way. You had some big shoes to fill. Underclassmen, I hope the tradition continues with you.”
Marty Siemer, board president, was next on the agenda.
“There is a certain tradition of excellence at Teutopolis,” commented Siemer. “I hope you take great pride in what you can do to succeed. It’s something to be proud of.”
John Mette, representing the village of Teutopolis, presented a proclamation.
“I want to congratulate the team,” said Mette. “Just as Dennis Koester said, ‘Success only comes before work in the dictionary.’”
Andy Fehrenbacher, Teutopolis boys’ basketball coach, was up next.
“Girls, you’ve gone through an awful lot in the last two years. Think about last year’s loss in the sectional and how you felt after that game. Think how hard you worked last summer and the sacrifices you’ve had to make. That was your choice to follow that path. T-town programs demand a lot of time. There were probably plenty of times you dreaded, like conditioning.
“But the season started and you had games Mondays and Thursdays and practiced in between. The season is long, but somehow it flies by. And finally the post-season comes. You started the run at the Vandalia Regional and think about your feelings after winning the regional crown.
“Then you faced the top-ranked team in the state — Pana — at the sectional and not only defeated them, but you put on a clinic that night. What a game. Then it was Bloomington Central Catholic at the super-sectional. It was the first time since the 2001-02 season a T-town girls team has been to state.
“I know you had your sights set on the championship game. But in life very few things go according to plan. It’s called adversity. Still, you managed to dig down and win the third-place trophy. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. Speaking for the boys’ team, we’re very proud of you. You represented your school and yourselves very well. Girls, think about your feelings and emotions right now. Was it worth it? You bet it was,” he said.
Jodie Pruemer, a former player on one of the state championship teams whose daughter Heather started for the Shoes, represented the parents.
“On behalf of all the parents, we appreciate all the support for the team this season,” said Pruemer. “First and foremost, we want to thank our girls. Without you, we couldn’t have had all these memories. We want to thank all the coaches for all their time and sacrifice and the faculty and T-town fans for their support. And we want to thank Mike Ziegler who started these girls out in fifth and sixth grade. We also want to thank Coach Koester for all the lucky rolls. Thank you girls. You’re No. 1 in our hearts.”
The five seniors, Mindy Wendt, Nicole Runde, Kristin Runde, Lauren Pruemer and Heather Pruemer, approached the podium.
“We want to thank our coaches,” said Wendt. “Mr. Deters, Mr. Cottrell and Mrs. T. We have some great memories.”
“We’d also like to thank our scorekeeper Dave Burrell,” said Nicole Runde. “And all the staff, teachers, parents and faculty.”
“The bus drivers, especially Larry,” added Kristin Runde. “Also, the radio and newspapers. Mike Ziegler who started us out and worked a lot with us. The junior high teachers and coaches and our fan club and all the fans. It was awesome.”
“Thanks for all the windows decorated,” said Lauren Pruemer. “And you know you’re in T-town when you get to ride a fire truck. We want all the younger girls to know how much we love you.”
“This all started at the beginning of the summer,” said Heather Pruemer. “Everybody wanted to get to state. We met as a team at Joe’s Pizza, and we got close there. Every single one has a place in our hearts. We’ve come together as a team. We feel like sisters, like family.”
Then it was Coach Laurie Thompson’s turn at the microphone.
“These young ladies trust me 100 percent, and I trust them 100 percent,” said Thompson. “They are a reflection of their parents, which is nice to say.
“We began our year last summer at SIU Carbondale. We got beat by 30-plus points in the first game. I told these girls then they were going to have to get together. I told them we had graduated several seniors and that they were going to have to go on and make their own team.
“We ended up turning it around and getting third in that tournament. Before we started the season, to be honest, I had doubts. But I know their work ethic, and by the time the season had started, I knew we could get there.
“The seniors, in their four years playing, have put together 112 wins and only 24 losses. They’ve been on four regional championship teams, two sectional winners, a super-sectional and now third place at state. I told the girls at the beginning of the year to look at the banners on the wall. Those banners come with hard work. I told them they need to earn one of those banners, and it would be all theirs.
“I preached the three Cs,” continued Thompson. “One I preached that they had to be confident. The second one is that you have to be a little bit cocky. And the third C is, because I love Stephen King books, I told them they had to play like an animal. Cujo is a rabid dog in one of his books, so I told them they had to play like Cujo.
“My seniors are positive role models. They are great leaders, and I’m very proud of them and will miss them. But next summer, once again, these girls will have to move on without them and become their own team.
“Coach Koester (who died in an accident in 2006) was with us every night. He started with these young ladies, and I got to finish with them,” he said.
Millie Lange can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 124 or millie.lange@effinghamdailynews.com.

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