DePaul University Athletics
Future is in Good Hands With January, Schulte
12/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO ââ'¬" If the take-charge attitude and reassuring poise of Jessica January and Brooke Schulte are any indication, the DePaul women's basketball program is in great shape when it comes to future leaders.
The talented tandem of junior guards is well-suited to take on the mantle of leadership that will be passed down by seniors Chanise Jenkins and Megan Podkowa.
Point guard Jenkins has already seen the growth in January.
"I think Jess has grown into a leader more so by her actions," Jenkins said to the DePaulia. "Her freshman year it took her some time to get out of her shell and even more so last year, but this year she's really opening up.
"She's laughing more, she's joking more. It's a side of her we haven't really seen and it's refreshing."
Schulte has been inspiring her teammates this season by undertaking the kinds of things that rarely show up in the final box score.
In a recent 86-70 loss to No. 1/1 Connecticut in which DePaul led by two points in the second quarter and were within five in the fourth quarter, Schulte repeatedly disrupted the Huskie offensive flow by tying up the ball, making deflections and clogging up the passing lanes.
Schulte is the kind of player who will make whatever sacrifice is necessary to move a program forward.
"Doing all the stuff that doesn't show up in a box score and being a gritty player, you create energy by doing the little things," Schulte said. "You get your hands on a ball, make a steal, clog up a passing lane, take a charge, break up a fast break. There are times when you stick your body in there and get a stop."
Schulte can no doubt absorb leadership tips from always being around her roommate Podkowa.
"I have great leaders I follow every day in Chanise and Megan," Schulte said. "Actually, everybody on our team leads at some point.
"All of us were team captains and team leaders of our high school teams. Now, at the next level, all these leaders are grouped together. Everyone has leadership qualities within themselves. College is a time to nurture and grow those leadership characteristics."
DePaul was right there with UConn thanks to January's 18 points and six assists while Schulte contributed 12 points, three steals and some terrific defense. They combined to go 6-of-10 from three-point range.
Prior to the nationally televised game Dec. 2 at McGrath-Phillips Arena, the closest anyone had come was a 40-point loss by Kansas State.
The Blue Demons took the lead 39-37 in the middle of the second quarter after a Jenkins three-pointer and were within three (44-41) of UConn at halftime.
They couldn't quite recover from the Huskies opening the second half on a 9-0 run although DePaul pulled within 65-60 on Brandi Harvey-Carr's basket with 8 minutes, 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
"It felt good even though we lost," January said. "I think about all the good things we did and having so much energy as a team. We played fearless. Just the name UConn makes you think about the history of that program's dominance. Doing so well against them was a big confidence boost."
Connecticut opened the game with two quick baskets, but Schulte put a halt to any early run-out with a three-pointer.
"We had a lot of energy right from the opening tip, and we did not let the score dictate how we played," Schulte said. "If they made a run, we didn't let it bother us. We had an answer for their runs.
"Everyone talked about keeping our composure if they got a big run. Just play our game and keep chipping away at their lead. You can't get nine points back in one play. Just stay calm possession by possession."
DePaul coach Doug Bruno told his players that the Connecticut game was an opportunity to show the women's college basketball world that the Blue Demons have the makings of an NCAA Final Four team.
"Coach Bruno put that mindset in our heads, and that has become one of our goals," Schulte said. "If we play our game and stay fearless, we should have the confidence that we could be in the Final Four. Why can't it be us?"
January was in total agreement.
"That was all reinforced by the UConn game," she said. "We saw how Doug framed it. We come into a game looking at it in a different way now. You come in not just wanting to win, but to also look at the big picture.
"We have the ability to be in the Top 10 and make it to the Elite Eight or Final Four. The way we played against Connecticut can carry over to how we play against other Top 10 teams."
But first, DePaul needed to get back on the winning track.
January was in the forefront with Jenkins in making sure the Blue Demons bounced back with authority after the UConn loss. Jenkins had a season-high 17 points and January finished with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in an 89-41 triumph over Illinois State Dec. 5 at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
January's three steals contributed to an arena-record 26 thefts for DePaul which also set an arena record by forcing 43 Illinois State turnovers.
January scored 17 points to back up Jenkins' season-high 21 points as the Blue Demons outscored No. 3/3 Notre Dame 51-30 in the second half of a 95-90 loss Dec. 9 at Notre Dame.
Three days later, January had 11 points and a career-high 13 assists to back up Podkowa's 20 points and career-high 18 rebounds in a huge 80-66 road victory over No. 15/16 Texas A&M. Jenkins had 15 points and five assists while Jacqui Grant scored 13 points and Schulte contributed seven points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Leading the way the rest of the season will be Jenkins and Podkowa with a couple of emerging leaders in their wake.
"I see it in Jess every day and watch how she leads," Schulte said. "If Chanise is off for a set, Jess will step in and take the lead. She will take that leadership upon herself. It's impressive. We're both juniors, but you don't have to be a senior to lead."
"Both Brooke and I have taken that initiative to step up," January said. "We have been here for a while and can exert some leadership this year. That will make our transition to senior leaders easier next year. The younger players are following our work ethic."
January and Schulte were the younger players two years ago who followed the quiet leadership of a senior named Jasmine Penny.
"My role model of what a leader should be was Jasmine," Schulte said. "She was so soft-spoken that when she said something, she meant business. It meant a lot to hear anything from her."
"My freshman year, I also looked up to Jasmine," January added. "I was also really soft-spoken and didn't think I'd ever become a more vocal leader.
"Now, I look up to Chanise who is a phenomenal, vocal leader. Just being around her, I can see myself becoming more vocal. Chanise communicates so well without even trying."
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The 2015-16 DePaul women's basketball tickets are on sale now at www.depaulbluedemons.com/tickets. Join in and be part of the BIG EAST action all season long at McGrath-Phillips Arena. Flexible mini packages including the PICK 6 and UConn+1 as well as group ticket offers are also available for purchase and feature great savings off of single game ticket rates. Call the DePaul ticket office at (773) 325-SLAM (7526) and speak with a ticket representative to learn more about joining the excitement of DePaul athletics.
