Crean Lutheran, after winning Empire League title, earns No. 4 seed in CIF playoffs

Crean Lutheran’s girls basketball team captured its first Empire League title. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs).

Crean Lutheran High School’s girls basketball team, after winning its first Empire League title with a 10-0 record, now prepares for the start of the CIF Division 2AA playoffs.

The fourth-seeded Saints (20-3) earned a first round bye and will open the playoffs next Wednesday at home.

“We have a great mix of experience from last season, sharpshooters, those who can create for their teammates, the ability to go inside has given our team the ability to be very tough to defend,” said co-head coach Bianca Ziemann.

“Coach Rae (co-head coach Rachael Ziemann) and I are so blessed to be part of our girls’ accomplishments and one of them was achieving our school’s first-ever Empire League championship.

“As a program, we have our eyes set on CIF and making a solid run in Section 2AA where last season we made it to the quarterfinal game vs. Alemany. We give God all the Glory for these seasons accomplishments and the ability to continue to play in (the) very competitive CIF Section 2AA.”

Crean Lutheran has been led by senior guard Taylor Feldman, who is averaging 28.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.1 steals a game; senior Emily Reed, who is averaging 13.1 points and 3.4 rebounds; and freshman Jane Hewitt, who is averaging 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds.