Saints relentless in pursuit of title

Watching St. Ignace utilize just six girls to play full-court basketball for 32 minutes and win a Class D state title got me to wondering about the Saints’ conditioning drills.

Nothing special, according to co-head coach Doug Ingalls.

“We do a lot of full court stuff,” Doug said. “We are not as organized as any other teams but we make up for it other ways.”

State finals tournament experience, particularly on Michigan State’s floor, was also a factor. Senior Sarah Cullip, according to the MHSAA, played in her seventh tournament game at MSU while senior Morgan LaVake and juniors Kelley Wright and Emily Hinsman all played in their fifth Saturday.

The Saints, who won a fourth state title, ended Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes’ bid for a fourth straight state crown.

“Any time you win, it’s like the first time,” said Dorene Ingalls, other half of the Saints’ coaching duo. “It’s a new group, with different reasons, different themes. It’s just like the first time. It’s been a journey. We’ve all grown together. I’m just thankful.”

Dorene Ingalls, with the Saints for 14 years, also guided St. Ignace to Class C state runner-up honors in 2002 and 2010.