Next Up: Nationals!

    Talk about living the dream!! In a week long conference tournament Tyler's team won 3 in a row labeling them the new 2014 MCC Tournament Champions and landing them a spot in the NAIA National Tournament that will take place in Branson Missouri on March 13, 2014.
    William Penn went in to the tournament as the #2 seed, right below the nationally ranked St. Ambrose squad who won the regular season. The Statesmen first took on a last placed #7 A.I.B, defeating them at home with ease as they sailed into the semi-finals game against Mt.Mercy. Tyler was sensational this game! While solid throughout the year and the tournament, Tyler was the factor that kept Penn in the tournament against Mount Mercy. What seemed like a slaughter quickly turned into a close game, as WPU watched its 18 point half-time lead dwindle quickly  into the second half.
    Enter Tyler. Hitting from all over the court The Tyster had all of his 18 points in the second half, keeping the Mustangs at bay and unable to rally up a lead; allowing William Penn to advance to the Championship game on a 96-89 victory over the Mustangs of Mt. Mercy.
    After an unlikely upset, Grand View beating the regular season champions, St. Ambrose, the Statesmen were able to host the Championship game against their rivals - The Grand View Vikings. This game was dominated by WPU from the tip-off as Statesmen went on to win the MCC Championship game by a score of 94-75. Much of the community came out to see their guys in their finest hour and one fan was sure to pull Tyler aside and remind him that "if it wasn't for you, they wouldn't have made it into this game tonight." I couldn't agree more!
    The Stahle's now await, quite impatiently, the first round of the NAIA National tournament against an in-state opponent (#6) Dordt College. Both teams seem loaded with offensive threats as they both rank in the top 3 of scoring offenses in the country; the Statesmen averaging 91 ppg with the Defenders average 89.

More news to come next week as the tournament gets underway!
   

Team Stahle

    It was a big night for the Stahle Household on Feb. 22, 2014! We were lucky enough to have the Hosking family in town for the weekend to watch a few games, including the regular season home games in the Penn Gymnasium! Thank you again to Mom, Dad and Grandma Hosking for coming out to celebrate with us! We both had a great game and loved having family to come out to. Not to mention it was especially special for me to have those who have supported me for so many years at my long awaited "Senior Night!" Thanks for the sacrifices you all have made to come to Osky and throughout all the years of following me around!
      The Gym was packed and both games were worth the wait. Unfortunately the girls team wasn't able to pull out the victory. That's not to say we didn't have a shot at it! After a long hard fought game we found ourselves down 1 with only a few seconds left. As the time ticked away I passed to our freshman Alyssa Phillips who was fouled with 1.8 seconds left in the game. The Grand View coaches tried to freeze her by using all their timeouts and unfortunately it seemed to work as she couldn't get one of the two to fall and we lost 81-82. But what a game! Our team really played well together that game and, as embarrassing as it is to me to say, I had a career-high 35 points. Although I am not one to worry about points, it was fun to do well on my last game in that gym and more importantly it has been a privilege to be on a team that likes to see each other do well. I love these girls. The 8 seniors have come from all different backgrounds, all different states practically, and have played for differing times here at William Penn but I can honestly say it has been some of the most fun I have had on a team in my career. I admire these girls for the way they play the game 

with such passion and the way they have accepted me. I can't say that any other team hasn't been accepting; I have been blessed with amazing teammates all of my years. However, some teams have been more supportive of my efforts and accomplishments and it has been such a relief to be on a team that wants each individual to succeed so that the team succeeds as a whole. I never felt like there was a bitter competition among teammates to be the best... I always felt like we genuinely enjoyed seeing each other succeed. That doesn't mean they didn't give me crap the rest of the season about being a ball-hog and needing to pass the ball :) I would have felt neglected if they didn't keep after me for something! I love that no matter how many different things I have experienced... people always surprise me in a good way. 

 The men's game was even more exciting than ours! Grand View is our rival team and at the beginning of every home game against them, after the first basket is made, the fans all throw a roll of toilet paper onto the court! Of course, WPU is then given a technical; but it is a tradition that has been going on for over 30 years! It makes for an even more exciting atmosphere filled with anticipation and high expectations! The Statesmen didn't disappoint as the game was close the whole 40 minutes. Tyler played an amazing game and finished with 20 points and BIG TIME rebounds down the stretch to keep the game out of reach for Grand View. It was so fun to be in the stands with my parents and grandma. I am a proud wife! And I love watching Tyler play the game he loves. He is a great player and so passionate about playing. I am so glad we came to William Penn and that he is able to keep living a dream he has always had, there is no one more deserving of it! I think it is more nerve-wracking being in the stands and watching your husband than playing in a close game yourself! I just wanted him to do so well and I am glad he had such a great game!! Luckily for them, being the #2 seed, this wasn't their last home game and there is more excitement to come to Penn Gymnasium!!

This may be the longest post ever, but we both just feel blessed to be living a dream together. We realize how rare it is to have a husband and wife play on the mens/women's basketball teams at the same college together (how could we forget?! Coach Henry mentions it every time he sees us!), to travel together, to sit in the stands for the other cheering our hardest! I truly believe it has made our marriage even stronger. What a fun adventure and a memory for a lifetime. Truly our story is one for the ages :)