Local Lady Bobcats Team: Champs Of Sisterhood, Sport, Studies

PALATINE, IL — It's sisterhood, studies and the sport of basketball for the Lady Bobcats of Immanuel Lutheran School in Palatine. The tight-knit school's girls' basketball team of sixth, seventh and eighth graders set a record Saturday while playing in the Lutheran Sports Association (LSA) Illinois State Girls' Basketball Championships at St. Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights; winning their fifth consecutive state title.

According to Sheri Urlacher, parent of teammate and 7th grade Immanuel Lutheran student Coco Urlacher, coaches for the Lady Bobcats volunteer 15 to 20 hours a week in the gym, preparing the girls for success. The coaching and hard work was displayed during the recent championships on March 6 through 8.

The Lady Bobcats are coach by head coach Heather Glaser, and assistant coaches T.R. Turner and Jim Beckley.

"The basketball development here is the best," Sheri said.

Even though they're setting records on the court, it goes deeper than state titles and records for this team.

According to Sheri, the coaches spotlight each girl's character, building their potential off of that, instead of focusing solely on an athlete that can win games and trophies. Focusing on their character is more valuable than trophies, Sheri added.

"The class these young ladies display on and off the court speaks volumes about the Coaches," Sheri said. "High expectations is a form of discipline for the Bobcats."

Speaking of discipline, all 14 members of the Lady Bobcats are on the school's High Honor Roll or Honor Roll. They include:

• 6th grade High Honor Roll: Anja Ruppel
• 7th grade High Honor Roll: Gloria Lee, Brooklyn Luna, Kayla White
• 7th grade Honor Roll: Rachel Roberts, Kristina Tierney, Coco Urlacher
• 8th grade High Honor Roll: Kayla Campbell, Frankie Henderson, Addy Luna, Grace Reichert, Cassidy Roe
• 8th grade Honor Roll: Rachel Lind, Georgia Roe

The bond between the teammates, their parents, and coaches is described by Sheri as "family."

The girls spot braids in their hair during games (see photo), a sign of unity Sheri said they call "#braidpower," and everywhere they go, they enter as a team.

>> More: Immanuel Lutheran-Palatine Cultivates Champions