Louisville's Schimmels inspire Native Americans

By DOUG FEINBERG (AP Basketball Writer):

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -- Whenever Shoni Schimmel's career ends at Louisville, she'll not only have left her mark at the school on the court, but also off it.

Schimmel did her best to try to beat UConn on Monday night in the American Athletic Conference championship game. She scored 20 points, but had little help as no other Cardinals player reached double figures in the 72-52 defeat.

While the loss stung, Schimmel and her sister Jude know that they've done so much to help inspire Native Americans across the country.

Nearly everywhere the two have gone this season they've been treated like rock stars. Native Americans have traveled from near and far to watch them play. It culminated last Monday night in Shoni's last regular season home game when Louisville had a packed house against Connecticut in what the school billed Native American Appreciation Night. Native Americans from nearly 40 different states were part of the 22,000 fans that packed the arena...Continue reading...