“Be proud of who you are and where you come from,” Coach Dorene Ingalls tells the Saints before receiving their individual medals and a team trophy after the championship game at the Breslin Center Saturday, March 20. Pictured are (bottom row, from left) managers Autumn Orm and Margo Brown, Jackson Ingalls, Dorene Ingalls, Johnny Ingalls; (second row) Lauren Goldthorpe, Alexa Thibault, Sarah Cullip, Samantha Radecki, Michaela Kelly, Anna St. Andrew, Kayla Fulgenzi, Assistant Coach Doug Ingalls; (back row) Samantha Gugin, Chelsea Swope, Emily Hepker, Katy LaTour, Kristen Olsen, Mallory LaLonde, Nicole Elmblad, and Grace Wheeler. The Class C state title game between the St. Ignace Saints and the Flint Hamady Hawks was a true classic between well matched teams, but watching it was not for the faint of heart as the Saints dropped a 68- 66 double overtime thriller to the defending state champions at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University Saturday, March 20.

Anna St. Andrew comes to the bench to give Saints Coach Dorene Ingalls a hug after the junior play- er scores four points and records two steals in less than two minutes. The game was pure basketball, but for St. Ignace, the tournament run was also about community spirit.

LaSalle students and alumni, people of the town, and supporters from surrounding communities rallied behind the U.P. team, sending hundreds of fans the 235 miles to fill two sections of the Breslin Center. Spirits were high as factions of Saints fans, many wearing Lady Saints Final Four T-shirts and some with Saints garb and faces painted black and gold, sent cheers echoing from section to section across the floor, did the stadium “wave,” and carried banners urging on the Saints. St. Ignace students wearing school colors made up a supportive contingent on the bleachers.

Samantha Radecki (20) was the defensive spark plug for the Saints in the semifinal game against Niles Brandywine. Other defenders are Chelsea Swope (32) and Sarah Cullip (3). LaSalle alumni from various cities in the state traveled to the game. Fourteen former St. Ignace Saints girls alumni basketball players were seen among those who attended the semifinal or final games at the Breslin Center, including Saints assistant coach Mandi Johnson, Krista Clement, Jennifer Sword, Adria West, Katie Spencer, Holly Cole, Liz Stempki, Carlie Levi, Marielle Calcaterra, Ashley St. Louis, Kristina LeCount, Kayla Gustin, Amanda Coveyou, Jodi Langstaff, Jessica McGinnis, and Andrea Spring.

Spirits remained high even hours after the nail-biting game came to a close, as the Saints team bus was met at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge by fire trucks, police cars, and fans to welcome them on their return to town after midnight. The impromptu parade made a loop through town, where people turned out along State Street and came out from their houses in the darkness along Truckey Street to cheer them as the procession made its way to the LaSalle High gymnasium, the scene of a 1 a.m. rally where the coaches and senior players addressed the crowd. The strong fan turnout was a meaningful part of the experience for them, they said.

The St. Ignace Saints girls basketball team captured the Class C runner-up title Saturday, March 20, at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University. Team members and assistants include (front, from left) assistants Emily Hinsman, Abbey Ostman, Autumn Orm, Johnny Ingalls, Jackson Ingalls, Morgan LaVake, and Margo Brown, players Alexa Thibault, Mikaela Kelly, Anna St. Andrew, and Kayla Fulgenzi, Coach Dorene Ingalls, player Mallory LaLonde; (back) Assistant Coach Robin Kissinger, assistant Gage Kreski, Assistant Coach Mandi Johnson, players Samantha Gugin, Lauren Goldthorpe, Sarah Cullip, Nicole Elmblad, Samantha Radecki, Katy LaTour, and Kristen Olsen, Coach Doug Ingalls, players Grace Wheeler, Emily Hepker, and Chelsea Swope. "This has been a great season and tournament run and without the community and school support this would not be possible," said Coach Ingalls.

The Saints’ Grace Wheeler (34) drives to the hoop against the Hawks’ Daylna Holmes (2), while Katy LaTour (10) of St. Ignace waits for the rebound opportunity. Kathryn Thomas (13) and Dy’man Webb (4) are defenders. ‘It’s Time To Play’

“It’s time to play,” Saints Coach Dorene Ingalls told her players after coming out of the locker room after halftime. Trailing 27-20, the girls took her statement to heart and did come back for a rally.

Teammates look on in anticipation as Mallory LaLonde drains this three-point field goal for the Saints in the state championship game. Junnell Luster of the Hawks defends. St. Ignace and Flint Hamady had battled to a 10-10 score after the first eight minutes before the Hawks outscored the Saints 17-10 for a 27-20 halftime score as Elmblad scored eight, LaLonde, seven, Swope three, and Olsen two. Going into the second half, St. Ignace, 25-2 on the season, needed to get a positive start to the half and the Saints responded with a 10-2 run for a 30-29 edge at the 3:35 mark. Chelsea Swope drained a trey 20 seconds into the third quarter, Nicole Elmblad added four points, Mallory LaLonde chipped in two, and Emily Hepker notched one.

The Hawks bounced back with a 9-3 margin to take a 38-33 lead into the fourth quarter, but the final outcome wouldn't be decided for another 16 minutes.

Nicole Elmblad (4) of St. Ignace scores two of her game high 36 points over Kathryn Thomas (13) of Flint Hamady. Nandi Taylor (3) is pictured in the foreground; Kristen Olsen of the Saints is visible at right. Flint Hamady held a 45-39 lead at 5:16 of the fourth quarter before St. Ignace, led by Elmblad with 11 points that included five of six from the charity stripe, outscored the Hawks 17-11 to send the game into the first overtime tied at 56. Kristen Olsen recorded four and Grace Wheeler charted two during the final five minutes.

Elmblad, who scored 16 of the Saints final 18 points, received strong support from a cast of teammates during the game, and especially the final 16 minutes.

Anna St. Andrew, inserted in the line-up as a defensive specialist for 19 seconds, quickly stole the ball, leading to Elmblad's free throws during the closing 12 seconds of regulation play.

Backed by fans as well as her parents in the stands, the Saints’ Chelsea Swope (32) drains one of her threepoint field goals over Kiyana Dudley-Thompson of Flint Hamady. In the first overtime, Samantha Radecki, who returned to play Thursday in the semifinal win over Niles Brandywine after suffering a foot injury during the districts, rebounded and scored on a putback to tie the score at 58.

The Hawks hit a triple before Elmblad converted two free throws and a two-point field goal with 33 seconds on the clock for a 62-61 lead, but Flint Hamady sent the game into the second extra four minutes with one free throw.

Flint Hamady opened the second overtime period with two field goals and a 66-62 lead at the 1:50 mark. Elmblad scored consecutive baskets to notch the score at 66.

After possession changes, the Hawks had the ball for the final time. The game was mere seconds away from a third overtime period when Kiyana Dudley-Thompson of the Hawks scored the winning shot at the buzzer, ending the Saints’ attempt for their third state title.

Elmblad Marks 36 Points

Elmblad, with a game high 36 points, tied for third all-time during the finals and second for the Class C championships. Peggy Evans of Detroit Country Day scored 47 in the Class C game in 1989. Melanie Megge of Detroit Dominican had 38 in the 1973 Class A game and Tiffanie Shives of Lansing Christian had 36 in the 2003 Class D contest.

Saints Finals Statistics: Nicole Elmblad, 36 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals; Chelsea Swope, 10 points, three rebounds; Mallory LaLonde, nine points, two rebounds, two assists; Kristen Olsen, six points, three rebounds; Grace Wheeler, two points, seven rebounds, one assist; Samantha Radecki, two points, two rebounds, one steal; Emily Hepker, one point, two rebounds, one steal; Anna St. Andrew, one steal; Katy LaTour, one rebound, Sarah Cullip, one steal.

Hawks Finals Statistics: Arlesia Morse, 26 points; Porsha Fluker, 25 points; Kathryn Thomas, nine points; Kiyana Dudley-Thompson, seven points; Cimone Greene, one point.

Saints Pride

“Be proud of who you are and where you are from,” was the message Coach Ingalls gave the girls before the medal and trophy ceremony.

In the press conference later, the coach added, "We battled back and each girl stepped up at different times. I am so proud of this team. They left nothing on the floor."

"Dreams do come true," said Chelsea Swope. "We are a family and that is why we have been successful."

"We didn't give up and worked hard to achieve our goals," said Nicole Elmblad. "We kept battling back and never quit."

Team members include Mallory LaLonde, Nicole Elmblad, Samantha Radecki, Katy LaTour, Kristen Olsen, Mikaela Kelly, Anna St. Andrew, Grace Wheeler, Emily Hepker, Chelsea Swope, and Sarah Cullip. Junior varsity players brought to the tournaments were Alexa Thibault, Kayla Fulgenzi, Samantha Gugin, and Lauren Goldthorpe.

Ingalls: Player Dedication

Key to Success

In 11 years as head coach at LaSalle High School, Dorene Ingalls has led teams that compiled a 213-55 overall record and 88-19 in the Straits Area Conference with seven league crowns, two Class C state championships, two runner-up titles, five final four appearances, eight district and five regional crowns. Defensive pressure has been the signature calling card for the Saints team.

"St. Ignace has had nine winning seasons and two losing campaigns, but every year the dedication of the players has made the success possible," said Coach Ingalls.

Four of the six seniors have been playing together since elementary school and two came on for their senior year.

"To start the season, we had Chelsea Swope and Samantha Radecki on the injury block and during the season opener, Katy LaTour and Emily Hepker, our newcomers, went down with injuries," said Coach Ingalls. "We took up Sarah Cullip from the junior varsity and she played until early January after the four girls returned to the line-up. One positive thing was that the girls received valuable playing time that would help us down the stretch.”

Several of the players shared their thoughts heading into the championship game.

"Coach is the reason we are in East Lansing for the final four. This is a dream come true," said Samantha Radecki.

“Coach brings a family atmosphere to the program," said Chelsea Swope. “Coach told us back in 2000 that we would be here as seniors and would make the final four."

"Four of the seniors have been together since elementary hoops. This is awesome," said Kristen Olsen.

"This hasn't sunk in yet,” said Mallory LaLonde. “We have worked hard for this for a number of years.”

Katy LaTour and Emily Hepker are in their first year at LaSalle High School after transferring from schools in Illinois and Michigan.

“The transformation from my previous school to St. Ignace has been awesome," said LaTour. "I feel like I have been at LaSalle for four years."

"This has been an amazing experience," said Hepker. "Everyone has welcomed me with open arms."

Junior Nicole Elmblad, Grace Wheeler, Mikaela Kelly, Anna St. Andrew, and freshman Sarah Cullip are the remaining varsity players.

"We have a close knit group of players that get along and play as a team," said Elmblad. "This has been a special year."

"We have it together as a team. This has been a great season," said Wheeler.

"I am so proud to be part of this team," said Kelly. "The bonding together as a team has been special."

"Determination has been huge to our success," said St. Andrew. "This has been a true team effort."

"My focus is on defense," said Cullip, who began the year with the junior varsity team. "When I am on the floor I want to play hard all the time.

THURSDAY SEMIFINALS Defensive Surprise Lifts Saints

To State Semifinal Win

St. Ignace started the state Class C semifinal match-up with sluggish play on defense and offense before a defensive surprise in the presence of senior Samantha Radecki lifted the Saints to a 64-35 win over the Niles Brandywine Bobcats Thursday, March 18, at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University.

The Bobcats raced out to a 7-0 lead at the 6:12 mark of the first quarter before Saints Coach Dorene Ingalls inserted Radecki into the mix, who had injured her foot and had not played since the district semifinal at Manistique Tuesday, March 3.

"Just her presence lifted the team on defense and offense," said Ingalls. "Samantha gives her all and that was passed over to the remainder of the team."

St. Ignace, on a 24-game winning streak, outscored the Bobcats 13-4 during the final 5:24 for a 13- 11 scoring edge after the first eight minutes. Six girls scored for the Saints, led by Mallory LaLonde with a trey. Nicole Elmblad, Chelsea Swope, Kristen Olsen, Sarah Cullip, and Radecki chipped in with two points each.

The Saints never gave up the lead after taking an 11-9 margin and increased the advantage to 27-20 at halftime with a 14-9 score in the second quarter.

St. Ignace opened the second half with a 10-3 run that led to a 19- 8 margin for a 46-28 lead after three quarters.

The Saints scored just two field goals in the final eight minutes, but connected on 13 of 16 free throws that included Elmblad with seven of eight, Swope four for four, and Samantha Gugin two for two, and an 18-7-scoring advantage in the fourth quarter.

"The entire team played with defensive determination and this was a gutsy performance by everyone," added Ingalls. "I have said all year that defense wins championships and we are one game away from a state title."

Saints Semifinals Statistics: Nicole Elmblad, 19 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, two assists, one blocked shot; Chelsea Swope, 11 points, two rebounds, one blocked shot; Kristen Olsen, seven points; three assists; Grace Wheeler, seven points, five rebounds; two steals; Mallory LaLonde, five points, two rebounds, one blocked shots; Samantha Radecki, four points, two rebounds, one steal; Anna St. Andrew, four points, two steals; Sarah Cullip, two points, two steals; Emily Hepker and Samantha Gugin, two points; Katy LaTour, one point, two rebounds.

Bobcats top scorers: Lauren Leonard, 13 points; Carlie Neuman, eight points.