Saintes Go Marching On, Defeat Woodbine to Reach State, 61-23

St. Albert Coach Richard Wettengel (2-21-24)

St. Albert's Ella Klusman (2-21-24)

Saintes Go Marching On, Defeat Woodbine to Reach State, 61-23 –

(2-21-24) – It’s said in football, “Defense wins championships.” The Saintes are seeing if that philosophy transfers to basketball.

A stifling defensive effort allowed to St. Albert to begin the game on a 23-0 run and cruise to a 61-23 win over Woodbine in the Class 1A – Region 5 Championship Game at The Palace in Harlan Wednesday.

“Well, we've been that way all season long,” Saintes Coach Richard Wettengel said after victory. “Our defense has carried us all year long and it was no different tonight and that's what I told them coming into the ball game. We're not going to change a lot this time of year. We are who we are, we're going to play to our strengths and that's exactly what we did tonight.”

“From the beginning, it was just to come out strong, come out hard and I mean, the scoreboard spoke for that,” Saintes guard Ella Klusman said about the team’s mindset coming into the game.

The Tigers didn’t score their first point of the game until early in the 2nd qtr on an Amanda Newton free throw. Their first FG didn’t come until Nicole Hoefer hit a layup shortly before half.

St. Albert has been able to play anywhere from 10 to 11 players a contest without a pace or play being hindered. Klusman says the camaraderie this team has is something she’s never experienced.

“It's pretty special. I mean, it's definitely something I've never been a part of before. The chemistry we have as this team and the depth of this team is. It's amazing.”

Wettengel believes his seniors like Ella Klusman have been a key to guiding this team to success.

“She's a phenomenal leader. She's been a three-year starter for us, her and two other seniors, Lily Krohn and Missy Evezic and you can't beat their leadership.”

The Saintes only loss was to Harlan Community in their 2nd game of the season, a 4-pt loss on the same floor they won their trip to State. Wettengel says his team has become stronger since that November defeat.

“It makes you tougher. You know, we knew that we had chances to win that game at the end of that game, we didn't get it done. There were no excuses on that one. I'll tell you what, it made me a little nervous coming back to this floor, but St Albert has had some great victories on this floor over the years, both boys and girls and our group was ready tonight. They were confident and ready.”

Getting the win on the same court they had their only loss wasn’t on their mind, but kind of sweet.

“Harlan's always a good team. So I think not playing Harlan at Harlan is definitely help on our side.

St. Albert will be No. 4-seed and play Bishop Garrigan in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A State Tournament on Wednesday at 3:15pm. (KNOD 105.3FM)

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