Jude Schimmel is hand-in-hand with her little brothers one last time at the KFC Yum! Center.
Jude Schimmel steps on Denny Crum Court one last time with little brothers, followed by mom Cicily Moses Schimmel.

Little evidence of the doom and gloom that hovered over Belknap Campus most of the day. KFC Yum! Center was the place to be for people wanting to put all that behind them.

Senior Night for the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. Tears all around but they were on happy faces, treasuring some great memories and many high points during their collective career. A time to honor seniors Jude Schimmel, Sara Hammond, Bria Smith, Shawnta’ Dyer and Sheronne Vails.

Mariya Moore for three of her 18 points.
Mariya Moore for three of her 18 points.

Some 10,488 fans showed up for the occasion, which was also Native American Night, attracting Schimmel fans from distant places, many clad in Schimmel T-shirts and native garb.

A time to celebrate a team that has exceeded all expectations this season, with a 24-4 overall record and 12-3 in their first season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The five seniors would be the starting lineup, racing out to a 14-6 lead in the first seven minutes before Myisha Hines-Allen subbed for Vails. They were also all in for the final minutes, until Coach Jeff Walz made a mass substitution to allow the seniors a standing ovation at the 1:14 mark.

Jude Schimmel, with approximately 20 members of family from Oregon in attendance, was clearly enjoying the game, that smile of hers lighting up the arena. Jude would have 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals in her final game on Denny Crum Court.

Shawnta Dyer continued her winning ways, scoring her team’s first six points and finishing with 13 points and six rebounds. Two blocks for Sara Hammond to go with four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

UofL led by as many as 26 points midway in the second half, paced by Mariya Moore with her game high 18 points. So much promise for UofL women’s basketball, a little sad for many saying goodbye to these seniors but a good way to end the day.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

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