West Lincoln-Broadwell 7th Grade Girls Basketball Team makes school and IESA history with back-to-back state championships

[December 08, 2017] 

The 7th grade Lady Wolverines stormed through the competition at the Class 7-1A IESA State Tournament in Assumption this week and the highlight of it all was a 51-15 win in the state title game over Carrollton St. John Thursday night. The win crowned the ladies state champs AGAIN.

Adding shine to the win, the ladies rewrote several records Thursday night in IESA Class 1A basketball history. WLB also finished the 2017 season undefeated at 28-0. When you combine that with the 2016 undefeated season that boasted a record of 26-0, you have to tip your hat to these ladies. They play with heart and hustle for four six-minute quarters and it is some of the finest junior high basketball you will ever see.

The Lady Wolverines were impressive Thursday night as soon as the ball was tossed in the air. There is no flashy way to write this other than the simple fact, WLB went on a 30-0 run to start the game. In the state championship game, where the opponent has only suffered one loss on the season, WLB put them in the hole 30-0 to start. Worth repeating, yes. It did take more than one quarter to do so though.

The Lady Wolverines dominated the first quarter with a 17-0 lead, then the only 7th grader on the squad, Elly Martinez, came out of the huddle to start the second quarter, and she simply exploded on the offense. At the 5:27 mark she swished her first bucket of the quarter and seconds later she tossed in a layup. Less than a minute later she was scoring in the paint. Then it was time for Martinez to sink a shot from the corner. A WLB steal allowed Martinez to finish the job with a layup. Ten points in just over a minute by the 7th grader gave WLB a 27-0 lead.

Kloe Froebe’s layup and one made the score 30-0 with 3:39 showing on the scoreboard. Whew, that escalated quickly!

Kylie Kinser, the tallest Carrollton player who towered over WLB, finally got a basket to fall in the lane with 3:23 showing on the clock in the second quarter. Honestly, everyone in the gym was a little relieved.

A couple more baskets by WLB to finish out the half and it was the Lady Wolverines on top of the Redbirds 34-2 as both teams headed to the locker room.

This is junior high basketball, but WLB is not your average junior high team. Very impressive.

Martinez continued to be just as focused in the second half and she opened the third quarter with back-to-back nothing but net shots. She really wanted the ball and was ready to shoot when her teammates found her open. Martinez was on fire as she sank a corner jumper at the 2:30 mark in the quarter and the score was now 40-7.

Froebe also continued to play her game and the 6th grader just does not miss a layup and the “and one” opportunity that follows.

With around a minute to play in the third quarter it was Becca Heitzig sinking one from the outside to extend the lead to 45-9.

WLB would end the third quarter with a 47-9 lead.

The fourth quarter story was after a couple Froebe buckets, the lead was up to 40 points. With WLB in total command over Carrollton 51-11, there was nothing left to do but get this over quickly and get those medals. A running clock started at the 2:22 mark with the score 51-13 and Carrollton managed one more basket to settle the final score at 51-15.

A history-making game for the Lady Wolverines, according to WLB statistician Donny Bowman following the game.

- The new state tournament record held by WLB looks to be Most Tournament Wins - 3 (2014, 2016 and 2017).

- Also the Lady Wolverines broke the record for most points scored in a game and championship game as well - 51.

- WLB set the record for the most points scored in the tournament - 142.

- The ladies also tied the record for fewest points allowed in the tournament - 45.

- It also looks like they set records for the most 2 point field goal game - 21.

- The most 2 point field goal tournament - 59.

- Finally WLB set the team record for the most 2 point field goals in a championship game - 21.

Kloe Froebe led all scorers with 27 points. So many things can be written about this talented 6th grader. She plays with such poise and control and knowledge of the game. She is so focused and constantly “in the game.” Her ability to make things happen on the court is remarkable. When she is not able to get a shot off, she is constantly looking around the court for an open teammate. She is the point guard who truly is the floor general. She is fundamentally sound and well-coached, just like the entire WLB team.

Guiding this team is Kloe’s mom and Mom was all smiles following the medal ceremony.

“Our girls played amazing tonight,” said WLB Coach Kari Froebe. “They played truly amazing. When they came out in the box and one, which we figured they would, we had the plays set up to run and the girls did their jobs. They set the screens, we came off the screens, everybody was looking for their shots, rebounding and moving the basketball. We were moving the ball well. Our defense feeds our offense and once our defense got going.....” Coach Froebe trailed off as many well-wishers were waiting to congratulate her, including the Superintendent from Carrollton. “

"Like I said, I thought the girls executed our game plan to perfection,” Froebe concluded upon return.

Elly Martinez, the lone 7th grader on the WLB squad, scored 16 points in the championship game and went on her own 10-0 run to start the second quarter against Carrollton. The offensive explosion from Martinez was best explained her own words. “The coachs just kinda got onto me and it’s just a good boost of confidence when the team’s cheering you on and the crowd is getting into it,” she said.

“It was pretty great,” said the back-to-back state champion with a big grin.

Martinez admitted she might have been the only one to be a little nervous before the game but once the buzzer sounded to start the game she got really excited and pumped up. Pumped up and pouring in baskets in fact. A great game for the 7th grader.

Meanwhile back to Kloe Froebe, a 6th grader who is also now a two-time state champion, and who was rewriting the record books Thursday night. Froebe set the record for most points scored in the tournament - 82. She broke the record previously set in 2014 by Leah Schneider - 78. Froebe also broke the scoring record for points in a championship game - 27. She tied the record for most 2 point field goals in a game - 12. She set the record for most 2 point field goals in the tournament - 33. She tied the record for most 2 point field goals in a championship - 10. She also tied the most total field goals in a game - 12. Finally she tied the most total field goals in a championship game - 10. The majority of all those records were set by WLB alum Leah Schneider.

So where does Froebe go from here? “Now I am focusing on 8th grade,” she said. “We are trying to have two state championship trophies in one year. The only other team to do that was Danville Schlarman in 2013. So we’re trying to do that as well.”

A goal within reach as the 8th grade team begins play in the state tournament on Saturday at Lexington. Froebe, who pretty much eats and sleeps basketball, will be a part of that team. Grinning from ear to ear, Froebe said, “I get up in the morning, get dressed, go to school, go to basketball practice and then either go home or go to a game.”

Siblings Kaelyn and Kaden also play basketball so when Kloe is not on the court, she’s in the stands. Their six-year old little brother, Kruz, is destined to be a ballplayer, too, so the future of basketball has no end for the Froebe family.


Scores by quarter:

West Lincoln-Broadwell 17 34 47 51
Carrollton St. John 0 2 9 15

WLB (51) *a new tournament record for points scored in a championship game

Kloe Froebe 27 *a new tournament for most points in a championship game
Elly Martinez 16
Jenna Bowman 4
Becca Heitzig 4

Carrollton (15)

Kylie Kinser 13
Morgan Blasa 2

A great fan support cheered on the Lady Wolverines.

Kloe Froebe on the drive. The 6th grader set a new tournament record with 27 points scored in the championship game, among other records.

The Lady Wolverine bench reacts to the win following the final buzzer.

WLB lifts the State Championship trophy in the air for all to see.

Happy WLB fans celebrate on the court with the team following the win.

Team manager and coach's son, Kruz Froebe, gets a medal too.

State Champs! WLB (28-0) wins the 2017 7th Grade State Championship Thursday night 51-15 over Carrollton St. John. Congratulations, ladies!

[Teena Lowery]