Fort Wayne Bishop Luers won its record third straight state championship with a 55-39 victory over previously unbeaten Shenandoah in the IHSAA Class 2A title contest on Saturday (March 3) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Bishop Luers became the first school in the 26-year history of the girls tournament to win three consecutive state championships. All three have come in Class 2A. Others to win two straight titles were: Crown Point (1984, 1985), Kokomo (1992, 1993) and Martinsville (1997, 4A in 1998).

The (Class 2A) top-ranked Knights, coached by Gary Andrews, finished this season at 28-0 and with a two-year record of 53-1. The win also extended their winning streak to 37 games.

Luers’ junior forward Megan Dossen led all scorers with 23 points finishing 8-for-13 and hitting 7-of-8 free throws. Senior guard Rachel King added 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

The Bishop Luers defense created more problems for the Raiders. The Knights converted 19 points off of 21 Shenandoah turnovers and senior forward Emily Loomis blocked four shots. Senior guard Tracie Hancock scored 10 points for Shenandoah but was the only Raider to reach double figures. Senior Kelly Troxell, the team’s leading scorer during the year at 18.2 points per game, was held to nine points.

It was the first loss of the year for (Class 2A) third-ranked Shenandoah, coached by Todd Salkoski. The Raiders, who were making their first appearance in the girls basketball state finals, finished up 25-1.

Rachel King of Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne was selected as the recipient of the Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude in Class 2A Girls Basketball by the IHSAA Executive Committee.

King, a four-year starter for the three-time state champion Knights is her school’s career leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Besides, basketball, she also has participated in volleyball, golf, track and field, and the dance team during her high school career.

She ranks in the top quarter of her class academically and will continue her playing career at the College of Charleston in South Carolina with the interest of studying dentistry.

Farm Bureau Insurance, the corporate partner of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Bishop Luers High School in the name of King.

"I’m really proud of my kids. We have great kids that work hard. I don’t think anyone has ever played and met the expectations as well as this team has. Starting at the beginning of the year, nothing would have been acceptable except an undefeated team and a three-peat."

"We were really worried about Shenandoah. They’re a great offensive team and they were bigger than us. We thought we had a little bit of a matchup problem. We had Rachel (King) guard No. 55 (Shenandoah’s Teran Warner). We knew we could sag off (Warner) and have Rachel help and that really threw them off."

"We’re not as good of pressing team as we were in the past. We were able to adjust. Yeah, I’d love to press but if you have to play half-court to win, you have to play half-court."

(On Megan Dossen) "She had a really great year for us. Sometimes she’s overlooked because Rachel (King) and Emily (Loomis) are so good. Our game plan was to go inside. They can’t stop Emily and Megan. They ganged up on Emily and that let Megan go and they paid for it."

(On Rachel King) "There’s not a better leader in the state. I know some people in Indianapolis might disagree, but she’s Miss Basketball. How many other people have won three state titles? We might be the best team in the state, who knows? I would have liked to have found out."

"I think Coach has done a good job of making expectations clear and bringing the team together. He made it clear to each player their role and what they needed to work on and what they contribute to the team. Whatever he asked, we were willing to do it."

"I don’t think ‘lose’ is in our vocabulary."

"There were times this year when we didn’t know if we could get here, but we persevered. We tip our hat to Fort Wayne Luers. They’re awfully good. The "x" factor in this game was (Luers’ Megan) Dossen. We didn’t know how we would match up with her. She goes for 23 (points) and that was a huge difference in the game. They’re (Bishop Luers) to be congratulated on their third straight championship."

(On coaching basketball) "I’m going to remain coaching basketball as long as it remains fun and as long as the kids are having fun."

(Referring to the seniors) "They meant everything to the program. These kids have set a tone for the future. Basketball lasts until March now."

"The opportunity of playing in the state finals is so overwhelming. We came in with the attitude that we could win. It was an awesome season and a great year for me."

"Whether we won or lost, it was nice to see our fans come out and support us. I had to work really hard on defense and it really took away from my offense."

Team Rebounds: 5

Team Rebounds: 8

Officials: Ron McGriff, Michael Zehr.

Attendance: 8,659 (Two-game session)