“The last three weeks or so, they’ve been talking to her about it,” said John Schultz. “We didn’t really believe it until this past Sunday.”
That’s when the Schultz family sat down with the entire Gopher coaching staff, who told Jade they thought she could help the Gophers.
During the 25-game 2013-14 season for the Panthers, Schultz had a team-high 194 rebounds and team-best 69 three-point baskets. Entering Monday’s sub-section championship game, she needed six rebounds to reach 1,000 for her career.
But that’s not what impressed Borton and her staff the most.
“The thing that attracted them the most was her toughness, that bulldog attitude,” said John Schultz.
She’ll start practice this fall as a “preferred” walk-on at the U, meaning she was recruited but will not receive scholarship money at this time.
“At this point, they’ve allocated all their scholarship money for next year,” said John Schultz. At some point, a scholarship is something that could happen.”
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Editor’s note: Coach Schultz was asked for an update on former Braham star Rebekah Dahlmann, who the Panthers faced in the last two state tournaments. Dahlman finished her high school career as the state’s all-time leading scorer with more than 5,000 career points and was awarded a scholarship to Villanova University.
“She was starting there,” said Schultz. “It looked like she was going to be the Freshman of the Year.”
Now, she’s out for the season and possibly for good after developing blood clots.
“It’s sad,” said Schultz.