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Health & Fitness

Wildcats 8th Grade Girls Win Providence Summer League Championship

Wildcats 8th Grade Girls Win Providence Summer League Championship

Lead organization in championship wins, but younger Wildcats look to continue winning tradition

The Wildcats incoming 8th grade girls have won 28 tournament championships over four years, posting a record of approximately 145 – 19 over that same period, and this summer added a league championship to their trophy case.

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Starting as 6th graders, two summers ago, these Wildcats played in the junior high summer league hosted by Providence Catholic’s head varsity girls' basketball coach Eileen Copenhaver. Last summer, as 7th graders the Wildcats lost in the championship to the Windy City 8th grade team. This summer, they returned the favor beating Windy City in the championship, finishing the summer with a perfect record of 16-0.    

"This is a team whose core has played together since 4th grade, with a few girls starting in 3rd,” explained John Kroen, co-founder of the Wildcats and coach of the 8th grade Wildcats. “Coach Jenn Kraft and I have seen these girls improve year after year, dominating the travel circuit and becoming one of the top teams at their grade level in Illinois.”

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During the school season these Wildcats lead the Hickory Creek, Liberty, Summit Hill and Mokena Junior High school teams, but come together starting in December to face the toughest competition Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan has to offer.

The Organization

The Wildcats were established in March 2007 when a group of 4th and 5th grade girls who had just finished their rec league season at the Oaks decided to enter a travel basketball tournament hosted at Lincoln-Way Central. After sweeping pool play and winning the championship, the Wildcats were born.

Wildcats alumni play leading roles on the Lincoln-Way North, Central, West and East varsity teams.  In fact, this coming season will have the largest number of Wildcats players representing Lincoln-Way at all four high schools.  Last season two Wildcats alumni Valen Manns and Danielle Morgan were named by 22nd Century Media as two of the best girls basketball players in the southwest suburban coverage area. Valen was the only sophomore and Dani was the only freshman named to the first team.

As the South Suburban Wildcats enter their seventh full season of travel basketball, the road is decorated with many championships, lifelong friendships and a group of alumni that is the envy of many organizations. The thought that the best is yet to come is the reason the Wildcats continue to win every year. 

“Every year offers a new beginning,” commented Kroen. “While the returning Wildcats are challenged to top last season’s records, girls and boys at the third, fourth and fifth grade levels represent the future of the organization and the future of Lincoln-Way basketball. We also see a large number of older players joining us for the first time, whether it’s their first year or they are making a move from another club – all are welcomed.”    

As the Wildcats prepare for the 2013-2014 season there is a significant focus on drawing a larger pool of girls and boys at all grade levels to continue building upon past success. The Wildcats have a track record of winning and improving their teams year after year.

“The Wildcats focus on teaching the fundamentals of the game starting at the third and fourth grade levels and then quickly building upon that core with a focus on learning the game, not just learning plays,” stated Kroen. “The support of the Lincoln-Way area high schools, junior highs, intermediate schools, our coaches and families help us maintain our winning, family friendly and affordable programs.  We are very excited about the upcoming season.”

In preparation for the season, the Wildcats announced tryout dates and locations:

Friday, September 6

Mokena Junior High School (West Gym) (6:15pm – 9:00pm)

Girls & Boys: 4th & 5th grade 6:15pm – 7:30pm

Girls Boys: 6th, 7th & 8th grade 7:30pm – 9:00pm

 

Sunday, September 8

Lincoln-Way North High School (Main Gym) (2pm – 5pm)

Girls & Boys: 4th, 5th & 6th grade 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Girls & Boys: 7th & 8th grade 3:30pm – 5:00pm

 

Saturday, September 14

Lincoln-Way Central High School (Field House) (5pm – 8pm)

Girls & Boys: 4th, 5th & 6th grade – 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Girls & Boys: 7th & 8th grade – 6:30pm – 8:00pm

 

All girls and boys planning to participate in tryouts must pre-register through the Wildcats website (www.southsuburbanwildcats.com).

The Wildcats also have a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Suburban-Wildcats-of-Lincoln-Way) and coaches tweet (@SoSubWildcats) regularly on the players, teams and organization’s success and latest news.

Contact Information:

John Kroen

South Suburban Wildcats

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