The Chicago St. Ignatius College Prep girls varsity basketball team has been named as the 10th and final winner of the WNBA Chicago Sky’s 2018 “High School Team of the Week” program.
Holding an impressive cumulative 4.06 GPA, the Wolfpack at St. Ignatius recently finished the season with a record of 20-10.
Head coach Carla Doyle told the Chicago Sky that for the girls at St. Ignatius, the game is about “more than just basketball.”
“We want to assist both on and off the court,” Doyle said. “This is something that we really believe in at our school. It keeps things in perspective in terms of why we’re here and why we’re together as a group.”
Doyle said the basketball program at the University Village/Little Italy neighborhood school highly values the role that team sports play in the development of young students. To foster an environment where the girls compete and work together, according to Doyle, “is such a great learning tool.”
“We believe being part of something bigger than ourselves is the whole point,” Doyle continued. “It adds up to winning, regardless of how many points you scored or the final score.”
The Wolfpack’s “something bigger” is also showcased right on the team’s jerseys.
“On our uniforms, we have the abbreviation AMDG, which means ‘for the greater glory of God,’” Doyle said.
Throughout the season, the team worked to give back by volunteering at local chapters of the Boys & Girls Club of America as well as at Home Sweet Home Ministries.
Presented by Robert Morris University Illinois, the 2018 “High School Team of the Week” program recognizes teams in the Chicago area who have garnered nominations for their work on the court, as well as in the classroom and community.
Each “High School Team of the Week” award winner in the 10-week program, supported by Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, will be honored at center court during halftime at a Chicago Sky game in the upcoming 2018 season, as well as receive a number of prizes.
All teams that compete in IHSA class 1A, 2A, 3A or 4A competitions are eligible to win a weekly honor. Nominations can be submitted on the Chicago Sky website through Feb. 21. Those selected will be entered as a contender for the 2018 “High School Team of the Year” award. The winner will be determined through an online voting process on the Sky’s website and announced on opening night at Wintrust Arena.
The Sky will accept nominations until Feb. 21 from parents, coaches, booster clubs, faculty members and players. Nominate a local team here: