Cultivating Champions: Immanuel Lutheran Girls Basketball Claim 5th Consecutive State Championship
It was a stellar weekend for basketball in Palatine, Illinois. On March 7, the girls' basketball team from William Fremd High School, in Palatine, won it's first Illinois High School Association 4A state title, at Illinois State University, in Normal, Ill. Less than 24 hours later, the girls' basketball team from Immanuel Lutheran School, also in Palatine, claimed their fifth consecutive state title at the Lutheran Sports Association (LSA) Illinois State Girls' Basketball Championships, held at St. Peter Lutheran School, in Arlington Heights, March 6-8th.
But is there a connection between to these two powerhouse girls' basketball programs in Palatine? Absolutely!
Rich in a tradition of success, Immanuel Lutheran School has produced numerous outstanding female basketball players for many area high schools, including newly crowned Illinois 4A state-champion Fremd.
Fremd High School's state championship team roster includes FOUR Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine graduates and players. These former Lady Bobcats include: Kendall Maloney (Sr.), Ruthie Montella (Jr.), Anna Schmitt (So.) and Kace Urlacher (Fr.). In addition, 4A state runner-up Lincoln Way West's team roster includes standout Brianna Woodridge (So.), another graduate and former player of Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine, who transferred from Fremd to Lincoln Way West last year. All these athletes were coached by Heather Glaser, Immanuel Lutheran's girls' head coach, who also played basketball for both Immanuel Lutheran and Fremd.
The Lady Bobcats have now won eight of the last nine LSA state titles, 15 LSA state championships since 1991, and a record six Lutheran girls' national titles since 1994.
"This season was expected to be a rebuilding year," said Heather Glaser, head coach of the Lady Bobcats. "But, through hard work, teamwork and mental toughness, these girls proved everyone wrong. I have a lot of respect for the grit and character all 14 players showed on this journey, and I'm so happy that it resulted in another state championship for them."
In addition to the team title, Immanuel Lutheran eighth-grader Frankie Henderson also received the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award.
"We have to kick Frankie out of the gym every night because she's always putting in extra work after practice," said Glaser. "Her drive is evident and key to our team's success."
Henderson was joined by teammates, Kaylie Campbell and Coco Urlacher, in being named to the girls' All-Tournament Team.
In the girls' championship game, the Lady Bobcats (28-6) faced top-seeded coop Nashville/Okawville (34-3) winning by a final score of 35-24. To reach the championship game, the Lady Bobcats defeated Bethel Lutheran-Morton, 45-22; Trinity Lutheran-Bloomington, 39-16; and Rockford Lutheran, 42-27.
The Lady Bobcats are coach by Glaser, and by assistant coaches T.R. Turner and Jim Beckley. Coach Glaser, a 1998 graduate of Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine, was a member of Immanuel's 1997 LSA Girls' State Championship Team, the 1998 LSA State Runner-up Team, the 1998 LSA All-Tournament Team and the 1998 Girls' National Championship Team.
As LSA Illinois State Basketball State Champions, the Lady Bobcats receive an automatic bid to the annual National Lutheran Basketball Association of America (LBAA) Tournament of Champions, being held at Valparaiso (Ind.) University, March 26-29th. The Lady Bobcats are the current two-time defending national champions, and have won the national title a record six times since 1994.
Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine Boys Storm to State Runner-up
The Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine boys' basketball team improved to 27-6, by going 3-1 at the LSA Illinois State Boys' Basketball Championships on March 6-8th. Joey Hernandez and Josiah Calvin were two Bobcats named to the boys' All-Tournament Team.
The Bobcats defeated Our Savior's Lutheran-Springfield, 42-18; St. John's Lutheran-Lombard, 33-11; and St. James Lutheran-Chicago, 34-27, before being overcome by a powerful Christ Lutheran-Peoria in the state championship game.
"This group of young men has worked very hard to hone their skills," said John Ulrich, boys head coach at Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine. "We've been able to develop some great depth, so we are able to play extremely hard for long stretches. I am extremely proud of them, especially off the court. They are good students and leaders, who honor the Lord and live their faith. The 8th graders, in particular, have been shining examples to the younger children in the school."
The Bobcats are coached by Ulrich and by assistant coaches Matthew Ulrich, Dave Walther, Johnnie Ulrich, Jr., Benjie Gallardo and Morry Gaan. "I'm so grateful for these assistant coaches, who have contributed so much to the program's success," added Ulrich.
As Illinois state runner-up, the Bobcats also receive an automatic bid to compete in the LBAA national boys' tournament in Valparaiso, Ind., on March 26-29th.
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. This year marks the school's 150th Anniversary. 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, please contact Immanuel Lutheran School at 847-359-1936 or visit their website at www.immanuelpalatine.org.