Naomi Kassulke attends Arizona Lutheran Academy (ALA) and is a member of the AIA's Student SID program. Photos by Naomi Kassulke and other photographers as noted.

The ALA Coyotes finished their regular season at Northwest Christian on March 1, with an undefeated record of 17-0. (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

 

The last time Arizona Lutheran had an undefeated girls basketball team was the 1991-92 season under coach Bob Gruetzmacher. The 91-92 team was 23-0 after the regular season before heading into the state tournament, where they lost to Ft. Thomas in the quarterfinals. (Photo Credit: 1992 ALA Yearbook)

 

STATS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Senior #4, Paige Marten, goes up for layup after a fast break. Paige led the team in points this season, averaging 13.1 per game. Paige also led the team in 3-pointers, making 35 this season.

 

Junior #35, Rachel Stahmann, controls the ball after a rebound. Rachel led the team in rebounds this season, with an average of 8.4 per game. She was also the leader in blocks, with an average of 1.5 per game.

 

Junior Elise Bayer, #32, goes up for a shot after a fast break. Elise led the team in steals, averaging 2.6 steals per game.

 

Senior #13, Olivia Meyer, passes the ball to Rachel Stahmann in the post. Olivia led the team in assists, with 2.6 per game.

 

Sophomore #24, Krista Wiechmann, goes up for a layup. Krista was one of the team's starters this season. 

 

Junior Elise Bayer controls the ball in the post. Behind her, Sophomore Eleana Massadeh makes a cut toward the basket.

 

Junior Grace Gray, #3, drives the ball to the basket. (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

 

Sophomore, #12, Sierra Gomez, dribbles the ball down the court.

 

Junior #22, Heidi Schmidt, moves the ball down the court with Sophomores Hope Patterson, #41, and Eleana Massadeh, #23, nearby during the team's home game vs Tonopah Valley.

 

Sophomore #11, Kadence Peter, drives toward the basket. (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

 

COMMENTS ON THE SEASON

Olivia passes the ball during the Senior Night game. Olivia had this to say about her Senior season: "One of the biggest reasons our team has found success this year is because of our ability to work together. We know each other's strengths and use them together. We are truly a team. We have been working hard and practicing since November, which has not been easy, but it is the reason we are such a strong team. We've had so much fun this season, but we aren't satisfied with our season yet. We are all excited for the state tournament and ready to play more basketball." (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

 

Paige shoots a 3-pointer vs Heritage on Senior Night. "This season has come with many different uncertainties and troubles, but amidst everything we have worked together as a team to come out with an undefeated season. We started this season with a whole new coaching staff, and I am so thankful for all of our coaches. They have put so much time into helping us grow as individual players and as a team. I am so proud of our team for all the hard work and effort that everyone has put in that has led us to having a very successful season," said Paige when asked about the season. (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

 

In his first year coaching at ALA, Benjamin Wells encourages the team during a time out. Coach Wells says this about the season: "It's been a total team effort. This is a group that genuinely cares about everyone, encourages and holds each other accountable, and wants every person on the team to do well. That attitude has allowed us to truly play as a team this year in all facets of the game. Everyone has also had a great attitude with all the unusual circumstances this season. There has been a consistent mindset of continuing to develop our God-given gifts and improving each day, even when our first games were pushed back a couple of times or the season was in doubt. When we had challenges or rough patches during games, we were able to respond positively since we had already responded well to other challenges or adversity in connection with this year." (Photo Credit: Anna Bebee)

Coach Wells was interviewed on the AIA Basketball Bracket show on Saturday. Watch starting at the 1:01 mark in the NFHS bracket show video. 

 

ON TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT!

The Lady Coyotes are seeded #2 and will take on Glendale Prep in the first round of the 2A State Tournament at home on Wednesday, March 10. Visit ALAcoyotes.org for details. (Photo Credit: ALA staff)