Teams

2011-2012 (Freeport) Aquin Catholic High School Girls’ Team

Year Inducted: 2025

Category: Teams

Schools / Organizations: (Freeport) Aquin Catholic High School

Head Coach: Jeff Curry

Team Record: 32-4 (IHSA Class 1A State Champions)

Biography:

The 2011-12 Freeport Aquin Girls’ Basketball team embodied the spirit of their season’s motto: “We Are Family.” Led by a coaching staff entirely made up of Aquin alumni, the team had deep-rooted connections to the school, with eight of the 14 players also being children of alumni. The starting lineup featured two pairs of sisters—Ellen and Sophie Brunner, Aubrey and Haley Chang—and included Hauser cousins Leah and Lizzy, and Morgan Reining, the daughter of Assistant Coach Doral Reining. This family bond extended beyond the court, creating an unbreakable chemistry that carried them through a remarkable season.

Aquin finished with an impressive 32-4 record, with three of their losses coming against larger 2A schools. Once the postseason began, the Bulldogs were unstoppable, winning every game from Regionals to the IHSA Class 1A State Championship by double digits. The championship game against Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City (CHBC), however, was no easy task.  Aquin faced multiple nine-point deficits but displayed resilience and poise under pressure. Led by 1st Team All-State standout Sophie Brunner, who delivered a historic 34-point, 16-rebound, 6-steal performance, the Bulldogs surged ahead late. Aubrey Chang’s 11 points and clutch three-pointer with 2:20 left gave Aquin a crucial four-point lead, while Ellen Brunner contributed nine points and six rebounds. Freshman point guard Haley Chang also made a significant impact, scoring five points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out five assists in the biggest game of her young career.

Sophie Brunner’s dominance throughout the tournament was record-breaking, as her 64 total points and 24 field goals in the 2012 State Finals set Class 1A records that lasted for several years.

While her individual brilliance was undeniable, Coach Jeff Curry always emphasized that it took all 14 players to achieve greatness. Coach Curry, who passed away before this Hall of Fame induction, was the heart of the team. His unwavering belief in his players was evident in the handwritten letters he gave them before each game, setting the tone for their journey. In receiving this IBCA Hall of Fame honor, the team proudly dedicates it to Coach Curry’s memory, forever grateful for the lessons, leadership, and love he instilled in them.

Team Members in the Picture:

Back Row (L to R): Elisabeth Klueg, Katie Stykel, Elayna Erdmier, Sophie Brunner, Ellen Brunner, Aubrey Chang, and Kaitlyn Doty.

3rd Row (L to R):  Ed Pitterle, Jeff Curry, Brad Sloan, Doral Reining, John Scibona.

2nd Row (L to R):  Brooke Bausman, Leah Hauser, Haley, Chang, Samantha Bender, Hailey truman, Kayla Harn.

Front Row (L to R):  Clare Curry, Lizzy Hauser, Morgan Reining, Maddy Van Hamme, Rachel Hauser.