Immanuel Lutheran girls basketball win 4th consecutive state title
The four-time defending state champion girls' basketball team from Immanuel Lutheran School in Palatine lived up to its billing as one of the top teams in the state by claiming their fourth consecutive state title at the Lutheran Sports Association Illinois State Basketball Championships, held March 1-3 at St. Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights.
The Lady Bobcats have now won seven of the last eight LSA state titles and 14 state championships overall since 1991.
"The Bible verse, 'We are many parts but one body' (I Corinthians 12:12-27) is an accurate description of this team," said Heather Glaser, head coach of the Lady Bobcats from Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine. "Each player brings something wonderfully unique and totally necessary to both form our team and to be successful. Because each player is distinctive and important, the team is strong and special. These girls have the traits necessary to find success in whatever they set their hearts and minds to do. I have so much fun coaching this family-like team."
In addition to the team title, Immanuel Lutheran eighth-grader Kace Urlacher also received the Most Valuable Player Award.
"Kace doesn't hear the words 'no' or 'can't'," said Glaser. "When she hears something she has never done before, she sees it as a challenge rather than a barrier. Playing average is never an option for Kace. She has a sense of accountability toward her teammates. She never wants to let them down. She recognizes the role teammates play in her own success and she often advocates for others to receive accolades and recognition. This type of unselfishness is a characteristic that all of the girls have, and it is just one more reason that they are a pleasure to coach."
Urlacher was joined by teammate Caroline Montella in being named to the girls' All-State Team.
"Caroline goes above and beyond," said Glaser. "When practice ends, Caroline stays late to get extra shooting practice in. She is strong physically and mentally, and she is clever both with the ball and with her sense of humor. Caroline has a natural sense and ability on the court that is only strengthened by her determination to always improve."
In the girls' championship game, the No. 1-seeded Lady Bobcats (33-3) faced St. Paul Lutheran-Mt. Prospect (23-3) winning by a final score of 31-27. To reach the championship game, the Lady Bobcats defeated Trinity Lutheran-Edwardsville, 46-23; Trinity Lutheran-Roselle, 44-20; and Christ Lutheran-Peoria, 38-15.
The Lady Bobcats from Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine are coach by Glaser, and by assistant coaches T.R. Turner and Jim Beckley.
As LSA Illinois State Basketball State Champions, the Lady Bobcats receive an automatic bid to the annual National Lutheran Basketball Association of America Tournament of Champions being held at Valparaiso (Ind.) University, March 28-31. The Lady Bobcats are the current defending national champions, and have won the national title a record five times.
The Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine boys team finished in third place at the LSA Illinois State Basketball Championships on March 3rd. The Bobcats also will be competing at the national tournament in Valparaiso, Ind., on March 28-31.
About Immanuel Lutheran School
Beginning as a simple, one-room schoolhouse in 1870, Immanuel Lutheran School has grown into an educational campus located at Plum Grove Road and Wood Street in the heart of downtown Palatine. Immanuel Lutheran School partners with parents to provide a disciplined, nurturing environment where children can flourish in their Christian learning and academic excellence. Immanuel has twice been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Education Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education and is fully accredited.
For more information, contact Immanuel Lutheran School at (847) 359-1936 or visit their website at www.immanuelpalatine.org.