Southland grad Jana Schammel has been playing basketball since she was five years old and the game has taken her to different gyms and different teams across the country. 

Schammel’s journey took her through Upper Iowa, Kaskakia College in Illinois and currently she has spent her last three years attending John Brown University, an NAIA school in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

Schammel has battled injuries and hit big shots, but her career has likely come to an end after JBU was knocked out of the Sooner Athletic Tournament in a 72-62 loss to Science & Arts of Oklahoma on March 2.

Schammel, who is Southland’s all-time leading scorer, said she is sad to see her long hoops run come to an end.

“It’s kind of weird,” Schammel said. “I’ve always seen my team as a second family. Especially being here, which is so far away from home. It’s sad because we go through school and life together and I’ll miss my team. We’ll keep in touch, but the bond won’t be the same.”

Schammel had five points and three assists in the loss. JBU finished the season with a record of 19-12 overall. 

She had a career-high six three-pointers and 24 points in an 83-69 quarterfinal win over Mid-America Christian of Oklahoma.

Schammel was named third team All-Sooner Athletic this season for the first time in her career. She finished with 65 three-pointers while shooting 46.4 percent from behind the arc. Schammel started every game and averaged 9.9 points per game.

While she had indiviudal success on the court, Schammel was hoping the Eagles could’ve made it back to the national tournament like it did last season.

“It was a lot of fun, even though we had high expectations,” Schammel said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to play at the next level and I thank all of my family and friends for supporting me.”

Schammel will continue attending school as she pursues her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. 

Schammel said being a student-athlete has been very helpful for her.

“You learn a lot of time management and communication skills,” Schammel said. “It’s been huge for me.”

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Austin grads Zach Wessels and Tom Aase played their final college basketball game for the University of Sioux Falls as the Cougars lost 67-56 to St. Cloud State University in the Northern Sun Conference Tournament recently.

Wessels had nine points, three rebounds and an assist in the loss and Aase had three rebounds.

USF finished with a record of 20-10 overall, the best ever record for the program at the Division II level.

Austin grad Gach Gach will be playing in the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament after West Texas A & M knocked off UT-Permain Basin 80-76 to win its seventh Lone Star Conference title in program history.

Gach pulled down a key offensive rebound and he hit two free throws to seal the win with two seconds left. He finished with five poitns, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Buffs are the top-seed and host in the South Central Regional scheduled for March 10-11. It is the second straight NCAA Division II Tournament for the Buffs, who are 28-3 overall on the season.