Girls basketball

Immanuel Lutheran takes league title

BRANDON -- The varsity girls basketball team at Immanuel Lutheran School is riding high these days.

Following the example of the junior varsity team, Immanuel Lutheran claimed the Brandon Christian Athletic League title on March 14, defeating archrival Bell Shoals Baptist, 36-21. The victory capped a perfect 18-0 season, the first since the school went undefeated three years ago.

Leading the way for Immanuel was a pair of eighth-grade starters: captain Jordan Rivers, a guard; and center Heather Alexander, who led the team in scoring this season with a 15-points-per-game average. Immanuel took an 8-0 lead against Bell Shoals in the final game of the conference tournament and used its up-tempo style to coast to victory. The win was the third against the Baptist school this season.

Coach Sue Steenis, who teaches fourth grade and music at the K-8 school, has been at the helm of the basketball team, on and off, since 1986. After not coaching last year, she didn't know what to expect this season.

"I have no idea (how Immanuel went undefeated)," she said. "At the beginning of the season, I didn't know if we were going to win a game. They just played well together."

Steenis said she never makes any cuts on her team, and that whoever comes out for the team plays. Last year, Immanuel finished the season with a .500 record. Each of the seven schools in the conference plays each other at least twice a season. The BCAL also includes Brandon Academy, Florida College Academy, New Jerusalem, Seffner Christian Academy and last year's champion, Central Baptist. Basketball season runs from January to March. The schools also compete in volleyball, soccer, softball, golf and track.