Sports : Central Lutheran School Basketball Team Qualifies for National Tournament

The Central Lutheran School (CLS) Varsity Boys Basketball team recently qualified for the 77th Annual Lutheran Basketball National Tournament, hosted by the Lutheran Basketball Association of America (LBAA) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from March 27-30, 2025. The prestigious tournament brought in over 2,300 visitors from across the country, including 32 boys' teams, 25 girls' teams, and 6 cheerleading squads.

To compete in this elite event, teams were required to submit an application, with selection based on their season's record and notable victories. Central Lutheran School earned its place in the tournament through a combination of impressive performances and winning 2nd place in the state tournament.

While the Central Lutheran Varsity Boys Basketball team did not advance to the championship round, the players, coaches, and supporters are proud of their achievement in securing a spot in this renowned competition. Their participation in this high-level event speaks to their hard work and dedication, both on and off the court.

"We are incredibly proud of our CLS Varsity Boys Basketball team for earning a spot in the 77th Annual Lutheran Basketball National Tournament," said Franklin O. Parris, M.Ed., Principal of Central Lutheran School. "This achievement reflects the team's talent, dedication, and sportsmanship. A special thank you to our coaches, whose leadership and guidance were key to our success. Their focus on both skills and character development has been invaluable. We look forward to building on this accomplishment in the future."

The 2024-2025 CLS Varsity Boys Basketball team was led by Head Coach, Matt Rathje and Assistant, Jake Stien. Team members include Dean Schanbacher, Camden Meyer, Frank Silhanek, Kole Rathje, Liam Upah, Joe Stien, Jace Rathje, Waylon Boddicker, Henry Andrews and Ryan Schanbacher.