Monday, March 5, 2007 10:23 PM CST
Teutopolis, A&M set for Super showdown
Traditional power meets newcomer tonight in super-sectional here
By MIKE MONAHAN, Staff Writer
mmonahan@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — Traditional power Teutopolis, the No. 5 team in the final prep Class A Associated Press poll, is to meet a newcomer to the Sweet 16 in Central A&M tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Eastern Illinois University’s Lantz Arena.
At stake is a trip to Peoria and a berth in the Elite Eight at Carver Arena in the last year of the two-class system.
Teutopolis is making its seventh super-sectional appearance, all under coach Ken Crawford, who is in his 26th and final year with a record of 609-149. The Wooden Shoes are 5-1 in super-sectional games, and all have been at Lantz Arena, including last year’s 53-44 victory over Nokomis. Teutopolis is shooting for its sixth trip to state, having won a Class A state title in 1986 and finished second in 2000.
Central A&M, which was formed in 1992-93 when Assumption and Moweaqua merged, had never won a sectional in the history of the schools (Central A&M, Assumption and Moweaqua) until this year.
“We came into the season with high hopes,” said Central A&M coach Danny Himes. “We had some injuries and didn’t make enough plays to do the things you have to do against quality teams. About a month ago we inserted Bryce Hogan into the fifth spot and have been plugging along since.”
The Raiders have had two three-game losing streaks and a four-game losing streak and are on their longest winning streak of the season, currently, having won all five post-season games. Central A&M has won eight of its last nine games dating back to Feb. 6 with the lone loss being a 71-42 setback to fellow Okaw Valley Conference member Maroa-Forsyth, one of three Okaw Valley teams playing in a super-sectional this year.
“Throughout the course of the season, losing games to Warrensburg-Latham, Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello, Decatur St. Teresa and Meridian wasn’t good at the time, but when we step out of conference we realize it helps to be battle tested and ready. I know it is a benefit to us (to be in the Okaw Valley Conference), and hopefully it will be a benefit tonight.”
The Raiders have averaged a 63-54 victory in the last nine games and for the season average 58.7 points per game while allowing 55.1.
“They are a good ballclub,” said Crawford. “They certainly wouldn’t be in the super-sectional if they were not a good ballclub. They are playing their best basketball of the year, which is common for super-sectional opponents. They have really good outside shooters and have guys that penetrate to the basket well, especially Tobias Bond. They have a couple of big kids and are quick and great shooters, and that makes them a pretty good team.”
Central A&M, a school with an enrollment of 300, has three players whot average near the 15-point mark, including 6-foot-5 Ben Stringer, who averages 4.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. Tim Canaday, 6-2, averages 14.8 points and eight rebounds per game, while guard Tobias Bond, a 5-11 junior, averages 14.7 points per contest.
“It is exciting, and I am really happy for the boys, the people in the communities and the parents,” said Himes.
Bond led the team in the sectional final win against Nokomis, 58-39, with 18 points, while Hogan and Tanner Sloan had 11, followed by Stringer with 10 points in a game that A&M led 54-25 after three quarters.
Central A&M has lost to Warrensburg twice, St. Teresa three times, Monticello, Meridian, Maroa-Forsyth, Pana twice, Arthur, Neoga, Vandalia and Newton. Eight of the 10 teams had 20 or more wins, and the other two (Neoga and St. Teresa) were 15-11.
“We have pretty good size inside,” said Crawford. “They (Central A&M) counter that with quickness, and they rebound really hard.”
Teutopolis’ size includes 6-4 senior Craig Westendorf, who averages 13.7 points, as well as Rich Borries, a 6-6 senior, who averages 10.8 points and leads the team in rebounds with an average of 10.1 per game. Jason Runde, a 6-0 senior, leads the team in scoring with an average of 17.8 points per game, while Wade Koester, who made the game-winning shot in Friday’s thrilling 48-46 victory over Effingham St. Anthony, scores an average of 14.9 points per contest.
The average height of the Teutopolis starters is 6-4, while the Raiders are 6-1. Central A&M has eight seniors, while Teutopolis has five seniors.
The coaches differed on whether the fact that Teutopolis played at the super-sectional last year matters.
“They have been there before,” said Himes. “They are well coached. I don’t think the atmosphere is going to be as much of a factor for them, although our kids have handled the atmosphere well so far.”
Crawford didn’t know if experience would make a difference or not, “It is one of those intangibles. I don’t think it will be, but that is one of the crystal ball items,” he said.
The Wooden Shoes average 68 points per game and allow 48.7 per contest. Teutopolis has an enrollment of 489 and also has won five straight games. The Wooden Shoes won their first 23 games, including the National Trail Conference tournament and the Charleston Holiday tournament, before falling to St. Anthony, 63-58. The only other loss was to top-ranked Nashville, 57-43.
“They (Teutopolis) are good athletes and simply execute and do things really well and play hard. Our team is a lot like their’s as far as size and quickness. We are hoping to make it a fun night. In the first two or three minutes of the game we have to settle in and get through the atmosphere. It will come down to execution. We have to punch or match their intensity and rebound well,” Himes said.
“The big thing is I think we have to contain their dribble penetration and cut down their three-point shots,” said Crawford. “We definitely have to win the battle of the boards. They (A&M) are a good rebounding team. I told the players Friday there would a lot of things you are going to hear about Central A&M and how people think they came from a weak sectional. I told them they can’t believe the things they will hear. We will respect Central A&M, believe me.”
The teams have seven common opponents in Newton, Neoga, Pana, Altamont, Stewardson-Strasburg, Cumberland and Vandalia. Teutopolis won all eight of its games (played Newton twice) against the teams, while Central A&M won four of the eight (played Pana twice).
The winner is to play the winner of the Nashville-Mount Carmel game at 1:45 p.m. Friday in Peoria.
ROAD TO THE SWEET 16
Teutopolis’ postseason
Defeated Cumberland 85-66 at Teutopolis Regional
Defeated Newton 59-57 at Teutopolis Regional championship
Defeated Vandalia 60-54, ot. at Olney sectional
Defeated Effingham St. Anthony 48-46 at Olney sectional championship
Central A&M’s postseason
Defeated Okaw Valley 65-55 at Shelbyville Regional
Defeated Stewardson-Strasburg 72-64 at Shelbyville Regional
Defeated Pana 52-51 at Shelbyville Regional championship
Defeated Raymond Lincolnwood 79-47 at Carlinville Sectional
Defeated Nokomis 58-39 at Carlinville Sectional championship
Contact Mike Monahan at 238-6854.
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Angie Miley wrote on Jul 17, 2006 8:05 PM: