Schaefer picks Xavier, can now focus on senior season

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Players may handle the recruiting process in different fashions.

But many make verbal commitments to play at the college level long before their senior seasons begin so they can focus on their sport. That is what Highlands senior forward Leah Schaefer decided to do in the spring.

The 6-foot-1-inch Schaefer verbally committed to play basketball at Xavier University just across the Ohio river in Cincinnati. She’d also been recruited by other NCAA Division I schools like Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tenn. and the University of Massachusetts.

“A huge burden has been lifted,” Schaefer said. “Colleges are not calling me anymore. The verbal commitment means I’m committed to them and they’re committed to me until I sign.”

Schaefer said the location had a lot to do with her decision. Her family and friends, especially from Summit Church of Christ in Coldspring, Ky., can come see her play.

Schaefer had plenty of help in the recruiting process. That started with her head coach Jaime Walz-Richey. Richey is the state’s all-time leading career point scorer with 4,948 points for both men’s and women’s basketball.

Richey waited until her senior year to make a decision to attend Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers were a Top-10 team at the time. Richey scored 1,044 points in her career in Bowling Green and led the Toppers to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Western Kentucky and the University of Kentucky flew her down on private planes.

“You have to go where you’re going to be happy. I was thankful my parents allowed that,” Richey said. “I tell my girls that you’re going to be the one that has to wake up at 5 a.m. to go work out. You’re going to be the one that has to sit in class all day then have individuals, practices or weights. You have to have a good relationship with the college coach. You can be great friends with the players off the court. But if you don’t have a good relationship with the head coach, you’re not going to be very happy, especially when you’re sitting on the bench.”

Former Highlands standout Tara Boothe-Smith also attended Xavier and had a wonderful career there. Smith finished with a school-record 2,324 points and 1,004 rebounds. Smith committed during her junior year. Smith is currently the head coach at Dixie Heights.

Schaefer is aware that some comparisons will most likely be made between herself and Smith. But Schaefer quickly dismissed the idea of it bothering her.

“There is no possible way I’ll get that many points,” Schafer said. “I feel like I’ll have a different contribution to that team. I’ll be more like a defender and passer than a scorer.”

Richey said Smith was taller and physically stronger than many of her opponents in high school so she could score almost at will. Richey said Schaefer is a good all-around player. Smith is not concerned about Schaefer trying to be like her.

“I graduated six years ago and it does not seem like it was that long ago,” Smith said. “I think Leah is going to do well. I don’t think she’s even thought about (potential comparisons). She’s been herself all through her high school career.”

Schaefer’s recruiting started with Amateur Athletic Union basketball during the offseason. She played with the Cincinnati Angels this past year. Prior to that, Schaefer spent four years playing for Cincinnati’s Finest and two with the Cincinnati Legends.

“During our season, women’s basketball coaches are coaching their teams so the only time they really come out to watch high school games is if they’re interested in one girl or whoever is playing,” Richey said. “Summer time is when coaches are all over the place.”

Highlands finished 17-16 last year. The Ladybirds finished 36th District Tournament Runner-up to Newport Central Catholic before falling 13-8 to Notre Dame in the Ninth Region Quarterfinals.

Schaefer averaged 14.9 points and 8.55 rebounds per game. She shot just under 82 percent from the free-throw line and a little more than 47 percent from the field. Schaefer handled a lot of the ball handling when teammate and guard Ava Abner went down with an injury in late December.

“Ï think that helped Leah when colleges came and watched us play. They said, ‘Holy Cow, Jaime. She’s having to bring the ball up and give it to someone,” Richey said. “She’s expected to score and make the pass. I think it showed colleges that even though Leah is 6-0, 6-1, she’s able to handle the ball. Sometimes, other teams would put their guards against her to try to steal it and Leah was able to go around them and protect the ball.”

Xavier finished 8-20 overall and 5-9 in Atlantic-10 play last year in Waugh’s first season. Waugh played for the Musketeers and helped them to the NCAA Elite Eight as a player in 2001 and as an assistant coach in 2010. Waugh served as an assistant coach at Xavier before becoming head coach. In her six years as head coach and player, Xavier has five NCAA Tournament appearances.

Waugh can not comment on Schaefer per NCAA rules until Schaefer signs with the Musketeers in the fall. But Smith played with Waugh for one season.

“(Waugh) will not sugarcoat things,”Smith said. “She’s a good leader and is passionate about the game. That’s the type of people she recruits. She inherited a program that is rebuilding. But she should do well moving forward.”

Big Things Expected in Senior Campaign:

Schaefer said she’s tried to improve her ball handling and three-point shooting in the offseason. Schaefer is one of several returning starters. Abner, Jesse Daley, Brianna Adler and Emilie Parton all started some last year.

Schaefer likes to lead both verbally and by example. She said communication with the coaches and each other will be another key to the team’s success.

“Ïf we have problems, someone needs to step forward and tell them not to worry about it,” Schaefer said. “Sometimes it will work and sometimes, it won’t. We just have to make adjustments in the game if something happens like that.”

Highlands opens the season on Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at home against Dixie Heights.

Photo Credit by Wayne Litmer: Schaefer goes up for a shot in the Ninth Region Quarterfinals last year.