Transfer will shake up Metro East Lutheran season

Senior Ellen Schulte has decided to make a move to finish out her High School career and will transfer to Edwardsville High School. Schulte has been a leader in both Basketball and Volleyball for MELHS during her career. As a 5’10 wing she was the leading scorer at 13.6 per game, leading rebounder at 7.2 per game and also blocked 3.7 shots per game. This will be a big blow to Coach Stocks’ Knights. Her scoring will need to be replaced by Senior Sami Kasting and Destiny Williams , a Junior, first and foremost. Kasting contributed 10,6 points including hitting 51 three point shots and Williams scored 9.3 per game. Williams is extremely athletic and can get into the lane. If she can improve the consistency of her shot she can really take a jump forward. Junior forward Taylor Bradley will need to fill some of that void as she is now the leading returning rebounder at 4 per game and also scored 4.4 points per game. Jennifer Leitner and Anna Stewart are also returning forwards that will need to help cover the boards that will be lost.

Schulte will have to fight to learn Coach Blade’s system quickly at EHS as she has been limited in her time with the team during the summer and she will have a short turn around coming off the volleyball season. She is certainly athletic enough to make the 1A to 4A jump but will have a long way to go on her skill. She will need to improve her all around game including her ability to go both  ways on the drive and consistently hit the outside shot. She was a 77% Free Throw shooter at MELHS so the shot is there but she must learn to hit it in traffic and on the move. Clearly the height and speed of the 4A players will be an adjustment for her. If she is able to settle into the system and the team dynamic she has the chance to contribute as a defensive stopper with her long frame, arms and jumping ability. She may be able to help the Tigers on the basketball floor but this certainly will not be a big piece in the puzzle of Coach Blade replacing the departed class of 2018.