(Council Bluffs, IA) — St. Albert had been creeping closer to a girls basketball state title but a week ago it finally happened — the first in school history and the first in city of Council Bluffs history. The Saints had to go to double overtime to beat Newell Fonda 61-58. Head Coach Dick Wettengel had coached the St. Albert boys team to a state tournament but never a win — he was runner up with the Falcons in 1993 and 1994. He left to coach Lewis Central boys but came back to take over the Saintes girls program. St. Albert lost in the first round in 2020 to Newell Fonda, lost last year in semis to North Linn and now they win the title
The 1A state tournament has been dominated in recent years by Newell Fonda who won three straight titles in 2019, 2020, and 2021, Bishop Garrigan of Algona who were in 4 straight finals, winning in 2022 and 2023 plus North Linn, last year’s champion and even Springville who won three straight championship just before Newell Fonda. This year St. Albert beat Bishop Garrigan in the semifinals and Newell Fonda in the title game, no small achievement
Wettengel said there were many different plays by many different players that helped win the championship game. In the 2nd overtime game, he says it came down to one big three point shot
Junior Avah Underwood was named Captain of the All Tournament team, Sophomore Maura Ryan was also named on the team, Ellie Monahan had a big block in the 2nd overtime, Wettengel says the team effort has been there all season long
St. Albert loses two senior starters — Monahan and Payton Johnsen plus Kirsten Piskorski off the bench but should be one of the favorites to go back to the state tournament next year.
Complete Interview with St. Albert Head Coach Dick Wettengel
