It must be the shoes.

OK, Tonganoxie’s boys basketball team also has some talent, but when Chieftains coach David Walker says THS is a “shoe team,” one tends to believe him.

For example, in Wednesday’s game against DeSoto, 11 Chieftains wore nine different sets of shoes. The Chieftains covered their toes with everything from gray Nike Air Maxes and black and red Jordans to star-spangled Chuck Taylors.

The 22 combined sneaks provided plenty of support for the Chieftains’ wide-open offensive attack, which outran DeSoto for a 73-46 victory at THS.

“I really think we’re at our best when we’re out and running,” said senior Matt Alexander, who was one of five Chieftains (10-9) to score nine points or more.

But come on, something has to be with those shoes, right?

“It’s not just the shoes,” said senior Thomas Gilner, who has scored 32 points in the past two games.

And if anyone would know about the Chieftains’ shoe fetish, it would be Gilner who Walker labels the team’s “shoe guru.”

The 6-foot-3 forward has some 40 pairs of kicks and often trades his size 13 boats around with his teammates.

For every game this season, Gilner has laced up new rubber soles. Wednesday it was some stylish Nike Hyperflights. But not just red or white would suffice. Gilner and 6-4 forward Joe Calovich each wore one red shoe and one white.

The fashionable footwear was but an afterthought Wednesday, as THS raced to a 20-8 first-quarter lead and led by 21 at the half, 39-18.

A quick transition game that feasted off its trapping defense led to numerous fastbreak opportunities for THS.

But even when the Wildcats didn’t commit one of their 17 turnovers, Tonganoxie had little problem mixing it up offensively.

Tonganoxie 73, DeSoto 46

DESOTO (46)

Kyle Andrews 1 0-0 2, Andrew Thornbrugh 3 1-2 10, Justin Haub 3 3-4 9, Willie Meier 2 0-0 5, Danny Brown 2 4-4 8, Pete Crall 0 0-0 0, Jonathan Gray 2 1-2 5, Michael Allen 2 3-4 7. Totals 15 (4) 12-16 46.

TONGANOXIE (73)

Jacob Walker 5 3-4 14, Shane Howard 4 3-4 12, Jordan Glenn 4 0-0 9, Thomas Gilner 5 2-2 12, Jon Gripka 2 0-0 4, Kraig LaRosh 0 0-0 0, Matt Alexander 3 5-6 12, Billy Baska 0 0-0 0, Bryan Gurss 3 0-0 6, Brad Reischman 0 0-2 0, Joe Calovich 1 2-2 4. Totals 27 (4) 15-20 73.

DeSoto (1-18) 20 19 15 19 73

Tonganoxie (10-9) 8 10 14 14 46

Three-point shooting DeSoto 4 (Thornbrugh 3, Meier 1), Tonganoxie 4 (Walker, Howard, Glenn, Alexander). Fouls DeSoto 20, Tonganoxie 16. Turnovers DeSoto 17, Tonganoxie 12.

DeSoto girls 48, Tonganoxie 32

A quick 7-2 Chieftain lead had evaporated by halftime. Then DeSoto outscored THS 24-14 in the second half.

DESOTO (48)

Emily Holton 5 3-4 13, Julie Beck 1 2-3 4, Tia Bernard 3 1-1 10, Katie Davis 1 0-0 3, Allie Heinen 6 2-3 14, Leanne Wilson 2 0-0 4. Totals 18 (4) 8-11 48.

TONGANOXIE (32)

Aimee Eisman 1 4-8 6, Laura Korb 1 0-0 2, Alicia Stauch 1 2-4 4, Keri Walker 3 0-2 6, Andrea Korb 6 1-2 14 . 12 7-16 32.

DeSoto (9-10) 9 15 12 12 48

Tonganoxie (6-13) 11 7 9 5 32

Three-point shooting DeSoto 4 (Bernard 3, Davis 1), Tonganoxie 1 (Korb 1). Fouls DeSoto 17, Tonganoxie 15.