Eisenhauer: EPPJ 'Will Be Ready' For State Challenges

History was made Saturday night in Elgin. 

After making an early exit at the subdistrict tournament at the hands of North Central, the postseason hopes of the Elgin Public/Pope John girls basketball team hung in balance. The team had to await the results of the district finals to see if it would qualify for the state tournament as a wildcard. Fortunately, when the final results were entered on Saturday night, Wolfpack fans got the news they wanted. EPPJ was in the state basketball tournament for the first time since the two teams joined forces. 

“After losing in subdistricts, we were a little nervous until I found out that all five teams won that we needed to win,” said Wolfpack head coach Randy Eisenhauer. 

The Wolfpack qualified for the first time in team history. However, it is important to note that the City of Elgin is certainly no stranger to the postseason. Most recently, Pope John’s girls earned runner-up after the 2008 season. Elgin Public holds the city’s only state championship, thanks to the 1988 Eagle squad. The Wolfpack will head to Lincoln with the intentions of adding to that legacy and will need to be focused.

“I expect that the girls will go down to Lincoln and will be ready to compete. We have talked all year about having the energy and excitement every time you step on the floor. I don’t see that being a problem this week,” said Eisenhauer.
While the trip to the state tournament is a unique time of year for EPPJ, Eisenhauer said his team will treat the tournament like any other game.

“We practiced all of last week in the mindset that we were making it.  This week we have been approaching practice like any other week and doing the things that we need to do to get better,” he said.

The Wolfpack will lean on their senior leadership, just as they have all season.

“I have to say our captains are great leaders, along with our seniors.  They are a great group of kids to be associated with and be able to coach,” Eisenhauer said.

That leaderships includes a senior class consisting of Amy Nelson, Jordan Mescher, Baylee Wemhoff and Liz Selting, all of whom have combined for 27.9 points a game. Junior Lydia Behnk adds a presence down low, averaging 8.4 points a game and 6.5 rebounds a game. Allyson Wemhoff, while just a sophomore, is as important as anyone to the team, leading the team with 12 points a game.

Eisenhauer admitted the team may experience some nerves in their first trip to state, including himself, but he expects them to be ready.

“We all have our goals that we put down in November and we are still chasing those goals. I believe my team will be ready for the challenges and play with a lot of effort,” he said.

​The Wolfpack will take on Heartland on Thursday, March 2 at 3:45 p.m. at Lincoln Southwest.