Shoni and Jude Schimmel: Their Journey to the Final Four

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         Shoni and Jude Schimmel, coming from the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Mission, Oregon. Wow! That was the first thing I said when I saw them play basketball. They were just so good, it’s like they were connected with the sport. I heard that they didn’t want to play basketball at the same college. Today, they are both playing at Louisville being very successful. Shoni went to Louisville first and then Jude followed her a year later. Where they are today couldn’t be more better. They are headed for the Final Four by their team doing amazing. But one memorable move by Shoni was an amazing move on Brittney Griner. She went right at Griner, the 6-foot-8 Baylor star who counts the NCAA blocks record among her many career achievements and Shoni went airborne, spun with her back to the basket and sunk an over-her-head shot while getting fouled. Anyone who was watching couldn’t help but cheer for her. It was an awesome move and got a spot in the top achievements for the tournament. They won that game 82-81. No one would think that Louisville, ranked fifth would beat Baylor, but the amazing thing is that they really did. Their next step for going to the Final Four was going up against Tennessee who is ranked second in their bracket which was no problem since they just beat Baylor, who was ranked first. Jude had made a great appearance scoring 15 points only behind her sister's 24 points against Tennessee. After the Lady Vols climbed back from being behind them from 20 points to get within three, Shoni had a pair of driving layups and Jude hit a three-pointer and assisted on a layup during the Cardinals' game-clinching response. They won that game 74 to 59. They made it to the Final Four. They would be playing California in New Orleans. California is now ranked second in their bracket thanks to Louisville for beating Tennessee. Of course Shoni was a starter and made a great first impression of the game! Then Jude came in and tried a three pointer but just didn't make it. She was taken out if the game and looked pretty mad to me. I knew it wouldn't last for long because Shoni would make her little sister feel awesome after doing incredible! But then after a while Louisville got behind and I started getting worried! We saw that their Mom, Cece and Dad, Rick were getting worried too. But never fear the Schimmel sisters are here! The game started getting really good but by half time they were behind 10 points, 27 to 37. Half time is over and about 8 minutes into the second half the score is 39 to 45. I'm getting anxious and really hope they can pull it together! The sisters are doing pretty well getting the ball down the court and. Stealing the ball but the team is not making the best passes. Antonita Slaughter also on the Cardinals is making tons of three pointers and getting them closer to their goal. 3:40 left in the game and it's 53 to 52, the first time they are a ahead since it was 10 to 8. Now tied 57 to 57, it's getting really intense! There is 32 seconds left in the game I literally need my inhaler to keep breathing! It's 60 to 57 and the California Golden Bears put in Makayla Lyles because she can almost shoot three pointers with her eyes closed, that is how good she is at them! She shoots a three and doesn't score. There is 4 seconds in the game and it's 62 to 57. Jude gets the ball and gets fouled! She makes both free throws and wins the game for the Lady Cardinals giving them 64 to 57. The looks on the girls' faces and the looks on the Schimmel parents' faces is something I will never forget! They are now going against the winner of Uconn and Notre Dame. They now have a chance of being the NCAA Women's Basketball Champions which is where the Schimmel sisters exactly belong. Uconn won and now are going against Louisville for the championship. It was a tough game for the Lady Cardinals, but they lost by a lot, 60 to 93. Uconn won and the girls got second place. Uconn has won eight times in a row now and it wasn’t much of a surprise that they won. Both teams did well and now Louisville has a chance next year to become the NCAA Girl's Basketball Champions.