The Moulton Ram ran up against shooting perfection in the first quarter. After that they played top-ranked Teutopolis even, but still had to bow out of the regional and the season with a 44-20 loss.

From the trip-off, Teutopolis was dropping shots through the hoop like smart bombs from an F-16 down Iraqi chimneys, all direct hits. The Shoes made 12 shots in just 6:00 and one of those scores was a 3-point play. They also went to the line two other times, making 1-of-2 both times. Moulton had two solo field goals, one by Tyler Hendryx and one by Tice Robinson. After one period were behind, 27-4.

The Rams survived that blizzard and refused to fold their tent. They came back out for the second quarter and matched the Shoes in a defensive effort, 4-4. Connor Rusell went to the line, made 1-of-2 free throws and then scored a two. Hendryx went to the line and made 1-of-2. After 12 field goals in the first period, the Rams held T'town to just two field goals in the second period. The Rams still trailed by 23 points at the half, 31-8.

After the break, the Shoes still found it hard to get past the Ram defense and the Rams out-scored T'town in the period. Russell had a solid block of a Shoe shot, but the back side ref called it a foul. Leading scorer Louis Niemerg went to the line and sank both shots. The Rams came right back with a score on a put back by Hendryx, 33-10.

The Rams forced a turnover, then Robinson lined up a trey. The ball went in and rattled out. Russell, who was in the middle of the lane, levitated and grabbed the ball out of the air and put it right back up for two, 33-12. The Rams caused another Shoe turnover and Hendryx brought it in transition, scored and was fouled. He converted the 3-point play to cap a Ram 7-2 run.

Defense took over the game for a minute and a half, before T'town knocked down a jumper, 35-15. After another minute of defense, T'town scored on a put back to stay up by 21 at the end of three quarters, 37-15.

In the final frame, Shelby controlled the boards on the first possession, getting three shots at it, before Mikel Welton was fouled. Welton splashed the second shot, 37-16. A minute later, T'town hit a jumper. But on the transition, Devin Miner got it Hendryx for two, 39-18.

Welton forced a tie-up at the Shoe end and the Rams got the ball, but missed a trey. Hendryx stole ball and got involved in a tie-up on the next Shoe possession. They had possession and split a pair at the line. Inside two minutes, T'town drove and dished for two, 42-18. With a minute left, Robinson brought the ball and, after a move, dove to the hole and scored, 42-20. With 17 seconds left, Teutopolis sent in wholesale subs and they got the last score, 44-20.

Hendryx led just four Ram scorers, with ten points. Russell and Robinson followed with five and four points. Niemerg, the only other player in double figures, led Teutopolis with 13 points.

"This game was basically a summary of our season," said Ram 7th coach Shonn Hild. "We really struggled for the first quarter, made some adjustments, and played great basketball for the final three quarters. We came out very scared and got into a big hole early. After the first quarter, we played them basically even with them. This wasn't because they let up, either, we just played very well.

"After starting the season 27, we finished on an 11-4 run (losses only to Monticello twice, Mattoon and T'town). I'm very proud to have coached these boys. They are a very "coachable' group."

Moulton 7-3A Regional

Teutopolis 44, Moulton 20

T'town 27-4-6-7--44

Moulton 4-4-7-5--20

Ram stats: Tyler Hendryx 10 (4 FGs, 2/3 FTs), Connor Russell 5 (2 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Tice Robinson 4 (2 FGs, 0/1 FTs), Mikel Welton 1 (1/2 FTs). Team FGs 8. Team FTs 4-of-8.

T'town stats: Niemerg 13 (5 FGs, 3/4 FTs), Gebben 8 (4 FGs), Thoele 7 (3 FGs, 1/2 FTs), Mette 4 (2 FGs), Hartke 4 (2 FGs), Jansen 4 (FG, 2/3 FTs), Deters 2 (FG), Ruholl 2 (FG), Drees (0/2 FTs). Team FGs 20. Team FTs 6-of-11.