Perfect season complete: WLB wins State Championship!

 

[December 20, 2024]  The West Lincoln Broadwell Lady Wolverines 8th grade girls basketball team won the 2024 IESA Class 1A State Tournament at Clinton Junior High School on Thursday night by defeating the Carrollton St. John Redbirds 35-17.

The Lady Wolverines end their perfect season with a 31-0 record.

Paisley Holmes led the Lady Wolverines with 16 points and teammate Sage Gilbert tossed in 15 points.

First quarter

Less than thirty seconds into the game Paisley Holmes scored the first WLB basket on a layup, after picking up the loose ball and running with it. The Redbirds were able to score quickly at the other end and tie the game but it would be Holmes and Sage Gilbert sharing the scoring to put WLB in front 8-2. Grace Bivin completed the first quarter scoring with two free throws for WLB and their lead was 10-4.

Second quarter

The Lady Wolverines had a terrific second quarter, outscoring the Redbirds 13-6. After the Redbirds scored first in the second quarter, the Lady Wolverines used a 10-0 run to bust the game open early. Gilbert had a beautiful baseline floater to start the WLB scoring. Holmes followed with a short jumper that bounced around the rim and through the net. Midway through the quarter Gilbert hit a corner three and thirty seconds later Holmes swished in her own three-pointer to confidently put WLB up 20-6. The Redbirds snuck a couple baskets in to trim the lead to 20-10 but with WLB remaining in control of the ball the final minute it would be Gilbert scoring one more time. This time Gilbert took a little step back behind the three-point line on the wing and nailed a three just ahead of the halftime buzzer. WLB trotted off to the locker room to much applause and a 23-10 lead.

Third quarter

There was not a ton of scoring in the third quarter. Each team had one field goal and one free throw in fact. Holmes scored on a little stop n’ pop in the lane at the 3:51 mark while Gilbert added a free throw at the 1:39 mark. No need to worry because WLB held on to a considerable lead with the score 26-13.

Fourth quarter

As the fourth quarter got underway, the WLB student section was feeling like celebrating as they chanted “Warm the bus up!” The Lady Wolverines continued to play disciplined in the final six minutes and they were wise in their shot selection. Ella Roemer scored the first field goal in the fourth quarter, thanks to a great pass from Bivin through the lane. Holmes managed to pour in two more field goals, showing range in her game. She found an opening in the lane at the 2:56 mark and made a nice drive to the rim. Later with 2:04 on the clock Holmes shot a nice jumper from the wing that swished through the net. The scoring was completed by Gilbert with 54.2 seconds remaining and a second later she would be the last of the starters to exit the game to a round of applause.

As the clock counted down with the subs on the floor, the starters were all smiles on the bench. Players leaped in the air when the final buzzer sounded and the WLB Lady Wolverines were state champions with a 35-17 victory over Carrollton St. John. 
 

The six eighth graders are the heart and soul of this team and they have waited a long time for this championship. As teammates, they’ve earned a second place finish and a fourth place finish in their basketball careers. Finishing on top with a perfect record is certainly something dreams are made of. 

After the medal ceremony and the trophy presentation, family and friends gathered on the court for endless photo opportunities. WLB brought a great crowd to Clinton, no surprise there, and fans of all ages showed their pride for the blue and green. 

Prior to the medal ceremony, Ella Roemer (Lady Wolverines) and Leah Schnettgoecke (Redbirds) were each awarded the Sportsmanship Award by IESA officials. 

The Lady Wolverines received a police and fire escort on their way back into Lincoln and that was followed with a trip around the Elks Club neighborhood. The team and their fans then gathered at the WLB gymnasium where the celebration continued.

WLB’s head coach, Brad Schneider, was also celebrating his birthday along with the state championship win. 

Happy birthday, coach and congratulations, Lady Wolverines!

WLB 35

Holmes 16

Gilbert 15

Bivin 2

Roemer 2

Carrollton St. John 17

McMurtrie 7

Lake 4

Schnettgoecke 4

York 2

The state championship roster:

Taylor Short

Paisley Holmes

Brooklyn Clark

Lily Lohrenz

Sage Gilbert

Sophia Chen

Claire Clements

Piper Craig

Audrina Wilson

Brynn Clark

Ella Roemer 

Grace Bivin

Madi Meinershagen

Makenna Hoefs

Head Coach Brad Schneider

Assistant Coach Jason Toft

Scorekeeper LeAnn Gilbert

[Teena Lowery]