Immanuel Lutheran Brings Home Trophies from National Tournament

Thousands of players, coaches and spectators from coast to coast traveled to Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind., March 21-24, to compete in the 67th Annual National Lutheran Basketball Association of America Invitational Tournament.  Among the 64 participating boys and girls teams from 12 states were the Lady Bobcats and Bobcats from Immanuel Lutheran School in Palatine.  For the second consecutive year, the Lady Bobcats placed 5th in the nation and the boys’ team claimed the National Consolation Championship.  Also, eighth-grader Shelby Madison was named to the Girls’ National All-Tournament Team.

En route to their 5th place finish, the Lady Bobcats defeated St. Peter, Macomb, Mich., 43-16, and St. John, Plymouth, Wis., 32-11, before losing their only game of the tournament (and season) to St. Michael, Ft. Myers, Fla., 35-32.  They then added two more wins by defeating Emanuel, Hamburg, Minn., 37-19, and Concordia, San Antonio, Texas, 39-25, to take 5th place.  The Lady Bobcats finished their season with a record of 36-1 and are the two-time defending Illinois State Champions.

“In comparison to the teams we faced all year, we were consistently shorter and slower,” said Heather Glaser, head coach of the Immanuel girls’ team.  “Tremendous work ethic, and mental and physical toughness were the keys to our success.  More important than any of the wins is the Christian character and class they showed in regrouping from a loss--their first and only loss this season.  It’s amazing what a group of girls that play as a team can achieve.  I couldn’t be more proud.”

The boys went 5-1 at the national tournament.  In the opening round, the Bobcats defeated St. Matthew, Westland, Mich., by a score of 59-18, before losing a one-point heartbreaker in the second round to St. Paul, Ft. Wayne, Ind., 29-28.  They regrouped in the consolation bracket by defeating St. John, Ocala, Fla., 34-27; Christ, Norfolk, Neb., 52-38; St. Paul, Kingsville, Md., 40-36; and Christ Community, Kirkland, Mo., 45-28, to win their third-consecutive National Consolation Championship.  The boys’ finished their season with a record of 35-3 and are the two-time defending Illinois State Champions.

"Because of our speed, physical man-to-man defense, scoring depth and shooting, we had a great chance to win the this year’s national tournament, but we just didn't take care of the ball in the fourth quarter of our second game,” said John Ulrich, head coach of the Immanuel boys’ team.  “But it was very special to see our boys regroup and win four tough games against national talent in less than 25 hours. That speaks volumes for the mental and emotional strength of these boys who give all the Glory to God."

Results, final brackets, National All-Tournament team selections, and other team individual awards can be viewed online at www.lbaa.org.

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.immanuelpalatine.org.