Teams
2001-2002 Carrollton High School Girls’ Team
Year Inducted: 2013
Category: Teams
Schools / Organizations: Carrollton High School
Head Coach: Lori Blade
Team Record: 34-3 (IHSA Class A State Champions)
Biography: This squad entered the season with a new challenge. As defending IHSA Class A State Champions, all opponents would be ready for them. Additionally, the Lady Hawks played powerhouse teams from Belleville East High School, Mt. Vernon High School, and (St. Louis) Visitation Academy. These clashes would leave the squad with a record of 10-3. Since losing was not a usual occurance in Carrollton, the team put together a 24 game win streak that carried them to their 2nd consecutive title. In the super-sectional win, the Lady Hawks defeated the Breese Central High School Lady Cougars by hitting a show at the buzzer to move on to the Elite Eight. In the quarter final game, they (Normal) University High School Pioneers were ready, but fell by a 31-27 score. The semi-final game agains (Rock Island) Alleman High School was not any easier, but the Lady Hawks prevailed 53-47. Finally, they faced (Augusta) Southeastern High School’s Lady Suns who slowed the championship game to an all time low score. However, they fell just short as Carrollton won 24-20. This victory gave them their 2nd consecutive IHSA Class A State Championship. Along the way, the squad won a 13th consecutive Western Illinois Valley Conference crown, and top spots in the Salem, Beardstown, and Carrollton Tournaments. The state title game also signaled the final game at Carrollton HS for Hall of Fame Coaches: Head Coach Lori Blade (2016 Coach Inductee) and Donna Farley (2017 Career Coach Inductee).
Team Members in the Picture:
Back row (L to R): Coach Donna Farley; #25 Lisa Meisenheimer (Grummel); #32 Terra Lake (Stumpf); #34 Amber Allan (Shelton); #21 Alicia DeShasier; #22 Justine Ellerman (Tucker); #35 Jena Walden (Staples); #10 Dana Grafford (Carter); #42 Nicole Ruyle (Meyer); and Coach Lori Blade.
Front Row (L to R): #24 Lauren Brannan; #20 Krisse Pitchford (Peters); #12 Molly Session (Reed); #44 Katie Steinacher (Nolan); #43 Hannah Reed (Cunningham); and #30 Tracy Randolph (Stumpf).
