Immanuel Lutheran Palatine Basketball Wins Trophies at the State Tournament

The defending state champion girls’ basketball team from Immanuel Lutheran School, in Palatine, lived up to their billing as #1 seed by claiming their third State title in as many years at the Lutheran Sports Association (LSA) Illinois State Basketball Championships, held at St. Peter Lutheran School, in Arlington Heights, March 7-9, 2014. The boys’ team, in a year of tough competition, took 3rd place, losing by 2 to the eventual champion.

Five Immanuel Lutheran eighth-grade players were named to the All-Tournament Team: Erika Andre, Tiana Henderson and Anayia Veremis were named to the girls’ All-Tournament Team; while Greg Cano and Will Schmeling were named to the boys’ All-Tournament Team.

In the girls’ championship game, the #1-seeded Lady Bobcats faced the Zion Belleville Lions winning by a final score of 25-18. To reach the championship game, the Lady Bobcats defeated St. John-Chester, 44-14; Immanuel Lutheran-Freeport, 32-18; and Trinity Lutheran-Centralia, 36-22. The Immanuel Lutheran Lady Bobcats have now won ten LSA State Basketball Championships since 1991, more than any other girls’ team in the state of Illinois.

"Every single player contributed to this season and to this win,” said Heather Glaser, head coach of the Immanuel girls’ team. “This team made it their goal to win the State tournament. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears but each player grew tremendously this season, both on and off the court, in order to make that goal a reality."

On the boys’ side, the #3-seeded Bobcats defeated Zion Lutheran-Belleville 48-26 in the first round and Grace-River Forest 46-29 in the second round. The boys then faced a tough #2 seed in Christ Lutheran-Peoria (the eventual tournament Champion) losing the contest by a final score of 37-35. The Bobcats went on to win the 3rd place game against Trinity-Bloomington by a score of 50-24.

"We faced tough challenges this season and this tournament,” said John Ulrich, head coach of the Immanuel boys’ team. “Our guys took on these challenges with grace and courage. They developed independence and leadership skills. I’m proud of the young Christian men that they are becoming.”

The Bobcats varsity cheerleaders also competed in the LSA State Cheerleading Competition on March 7, where the young, talented squad of only 7 girls received the 3rd-place trophy with the second place squad edging the girls out of the runner up position by a mere 33/100 of a point. The cheerleaders are coached by Donna Cook.

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 is the only K-8 private school in Illinois to have 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.ilcp.org.