LSU women’s basketball @LSUwbkb received some important news Tuesday as junior college small forward Sarah Shematsi committed to the Tigers. The No. 7 juco prospect in the nation, according to the World Exposure Report composite chose Nikki Fargas’ squad over Miami, St. John’s, and Kansas State.
At first Sarah Shematsi wasn’t sure about the junior college route. The 6-foot-2 sophomore said it was all about embracing Coach Cayla Petree’s plan and coming to an understanding of how much junior college ball was the right path. Since she landed at South Plains College, the five-star small forward from France saw her recruitment blow up because of her and her team’s success.
What is it like to play at South Plains College?
SS: I love playing here. There are a lot of good people that take care of us here. It is where I was supposed to come and it was a good thing for me. It helped me become a better player because now I am tougher, more physical and I know the game better.
How has South Plains and Head Coach Cayla Petree prepared you for the next level?
SS: Coach Petree is always pushing me out of my comfort zone. She is a good teacher and explains things to me but then always wants more. She wants me to be the best I can be. We work really hard.
How has Coach Petree help shaped you outside of basketball and why is that important?
SS: She just wants me to excel in all ways. She wants us to be a good person, work hard and do our best.
What are your NJCAA Accolades and International Accolades?
SS: I won the 3x3 Gold Medal, been named Conference Freshman of the Year, 1st Team All-Conference, and 1st Team All-Region, NJCAA National Tournament All-Tournament, Juco Top 40 All-Star participant, and @2019JucoWTop40 MVP.
What was your experience like at the Top 40 All-Star?
SS: I had a really great time participating with my two college teammates. It was a well organized event. There was tons of college coaches in attendance and it was a great platform for me and my teammates to showcase our skills. I am very thankful for nomination and the opportunity to play against other top junior college players.
Why should future recruits choose South Plains over other Juco programs?
SS: Coach Petree is a very good coach that makes you better but she very much loves the players. She has a lot of passion for the game but more importantly a big love for the players as a person.
Who all offered and showed the most interest in you?
SS: Kansas, Texas Tech, Kansas State, LSU, S. John’s, Oklahoma State, Clemson, and Tennessee
Where and (dates) you took your official visits?
SS: Miami (Aug.), Kansas State (Sept.), and St. John’s (Sept.)
What two schools were your finalist?
SS: LSU and Miami
Why did you pick LSU over the other schools?
SS: Why did you pick LSU over the other schools? It is a big-time program in the SEC and I always wanted to play in that conference but most of all I believe in the coaching staff. I want to be a professional and I think they can help develop me into one.
What stood out the most about LSU?
SS: The facilities and the people.
What was the selling point for you committing to LSU?
SS: The overall program but Coach Nikki has developed so many pro players.
Tell me about the decision, was it an easy or hard decision?
SS: It was tough to tell all the coaches that I was not coming to their school because we developed relationships during the recruiting process. They are great people with good programs. I am so humbled and grateful that they thought enough of me to offer me a scholarship. That part was hard.
What were the reactions from some of the other coaches’ when you told them you were committing to LSU?
SS: Coach Littell at Oklahoma State is such a good person. He wished me the best and said I would do great things.
What was Coach Fargas reaction when you told her that you wanted to be a Tiger?
SS: She was extremely happy. I could hear it in her voice. She was jumping around on her bad knee.
How are they wanting to use you within their offensive/defensive scheme and how is that a good fit for you?
SS: I will get to play both inside and out. I have the ability to shoot the 3 and post up smaller guards.
Now, that your decision is out of the way; what are your some of your team goals and individual goals for your sophomore season at South Plains College?
SS: I simply want to win as many games as possible. My hope is we can make it to the national championship.
Coach Petree on Sarah Shematsi
What has it been like to have Sarah in your program?
Coach Petree: Sarah is a special player with a unique skill set. She is 6-2 and shoots the ball ridiculously well. She has the ultimate green light. The only thing I ask is that she focus on getting her feet set and underneath her. I love coaching her and to see her have this kind of success and future opportunities is the best part of my job. It really makes my heart happy.
What type of person/and player is LSU women’s basketball program and the Tiger community getting?
Coach Petree: They will be getting a tremendous person and teammate. For as talented as she is, she is the most humble and coachable person I have ever seen. She hated the recruiting process because everyone told her how great she is. She just wants to get better and is always about our team. She was excited to commit during the early period because she wants to focus on our season. She said all the phone calls and visits were a distraction and that now she only has one mission. You love coaching a kid like that. She is very special to me. I am gonna miss her a lot both on and off the court. I love her even if she won’t say it back to me.
How do you think she will fit in at LSU and how do you think her career will play at?
Coach Petree: I think it will be an adjustment because it is the SEC but she has all the tools to be successful there. In my mind, there is no limit to what she can do. She has the work ethic and the natural ability and LSU has the coaches and the resources to help her reach her maximum potential.
How many kids that you have coached at South Plains moved on to Division 1 programs?
Coach Petree: This is the 12th student-athlete in the past 4 years.
Why do you think you Division 1 programs recruit from your program and why do you think you have had so much success getting kids to that level?
Coach Petree: I don’t know about that question. Haha. I do know we focus on the fundamentals here. We dribble, pass, shoot, finish, defend and rebound as hard as we possibly can. I do not do anything special. I just try to recruit the best players and then work them hard. I find out what they are good at and try to put them in positions to be successful. If they buy in, they fit in here and seem to have some success here and have the opportunity to move on to the next level.
Why should future top domestic and international prospects choose South Plains?
Coach Petree: I believe they give us all the resources to be successful and take care of the kids here at SPC. I know that I am gonna work their tails off, teach them as much as I know and hold them to the highest standard possible. Our little win, graduate, d1 is not just a hashtag. Everything in our program is geared around accomplishing those three things. The other thing that we don’t mention is be a good person. I tell them if you are not that, you don’t even get a chance to do those 3 other things here.
Become a fan of Sarah Shematsi @sarah_shematsi and the Lady Texans @LadyTexansWBB!!!
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