GIRLS BASKETBALL

Raiders claim national championship

VALPARAISO

St. John’s Sauers eighth-grade girls basketball team stands above the rest nationwide.

The Raiders capped an undefeated weekend at Valparaiso University with a 34-28 overtime win over Immanuel Lutheran (Palantine, Illinois) for 2017 Lutheran Basketball Association of America’s National Championship.

The national crown is the second in school history for the Raiders, with the first coming in 2001.

Sauers defeated Immanuel Lutheran of East Dundee, Illinois 40-25 and St. Peter Lutheran (Macomb, Michigan) 37-20 on Friday to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals.

The Raiders then bested Immanuel Lutheran (Lewiston, Minnesota) 33-18, which propelled them to Sunday’s semis.

A 40-35 morning win against St. Michael Lutheran (Fort Myers, Florida) — who were the defending national champions — set up the title game.

Look for a full story, and photos, in an upcoming edition of The Tribune.