Windham Basketball Star Commits to Suffolk

Windham High School basketball star Kelsey Schiebel is ready to take her talents to Beacon Hill in the fall.

The local point guard officially committed to Suffolk University on Thursday, putting to bed a difficult decision that lasted over 18 months and saw constant visits from schools to all of her high school and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) games.

"I think I was definitely someone who wanted to, after living in a small town like Windham, get out there and see new things," said Schiebel.

Colleges attempted to recruit Schiebel by the dozens. Phone calls piled on top of the 50 or so letters that are in her bedroom.

But Schiebel was able to develop a positive relationship with Suffolk Head Coach Ed Leydon.

"It was actually funny because Ed Leydon was the first basketball coach ever interested in me; the first to reach out to me," she said.

Schiebel knows that her journey to Boston comes with a big pair of shoes to fill.

Salem resident and former Central High School standout Jackie Vienneau held the point guard position at Suffolk for the last four years, scoring over 1,000 points and netting over 500 rebounds for her career.

Schiebel, meanwhile, started playing basketball in fourth grade through a recreation league. She sharpened her focus toward basketball three years ago and has since dropped her second sport, soccer, in exchange for the court.

Other top choices for Schiebel were Roger Williams University, Keene State College and Endicott College.

Suffolk, she said, offered the best financial package, which her father Brian said "really demonstrated how much they wanted her."

Between her junior and senior years, Schiebel stepped up big for the Windham Jaguars, jumping from about 8 points per game to over around 13.

Her increased contribution came following the departures of Kerry White and Ashley Adamson, two major scoring threats on the 2012 WHS team.

Schiebel also praised the teamwork and ball distribution that the 2013 version of the Windham Lady Jaguars became accustomed to.

The Division-III Suffolk Rams are coming off a milestone 23-8 season that saw the team lose in the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Championship game.

As for next fall, it will be hard for Schiebel to miss the date when practices begin.

"The season starts on my birthday – October 15," she said. "I think I was meant to play in the NCAA."