Schoemann To Capitalize On Significant Summer

Several key moments have enabled components of Shawnee Mission East’s Jack Schoemann’s game to change over the last several months.

 Following the 6-foot-7, 185-pound MoKan Select guard’s 17-point performance against the prestigious Oakland Soldiers this summer, he developed into more of an active defensive presence.

After guarding quick, tall and dieseled-up athletes who fly all over the court in that particular game, it reinforced the value of sturdy defense.

 Though MoKan Select wound up relinquishing a double digit halftime lead to the traditional EYBL power, the performance proved both Schoemann and his teammates could go eyeball to eyeball with any program in the country.

Another memorable moment was Schoemann’s 30-point eruption in a win against Olathe South. He buried eight three-pointers, establishing a new school record.

This 3-point onslaught simultaneously kick-started a seven game win streak for Shawnee Mission East, which finished a thread above .500.

There was also a game-winning layup in a 56-54 thriller over Bishop Seabury early in the 2016-17 campaign. Schoemann views that late-game poise as a portent of his  veteran senior role on a fresh-faced, relatively callow core in 2017-18.

“I think my role is only going to expand even more this year (at Shawnee Mission East),” said Schoemann, who has offers from Colorado State and UTEP and has garnered the attention of a gaggle of programs following a stock-rising summer.

“We lost our primary ball handler and a guy who we really rely on to go get a bucket in Trevor Thompson, so I’m going to have to embrace more of a workload which I’m looking forward to. It’s made me work harder and get a lot better on attacking the rim, finishing around the rim.”

Deep, floor-spreading 3-point shooting has long been Schoemann’s calling card. And while he’s made strides to enhance his explosiveness and tear into the driving lanes and embrace contact, his prominent outside touch is ultimately what separates him at this level.

“I take the most pride in being able to stretch defenses out from deep, just being that guy you can depend on all the time,” Schoemann said.

After consistently applying pressure against highly-recruited playmakers during a brutal and unforgiving AAU schedule, Schoemann has prolonged his time in the weight room. He’s steadily emerging into a double duty threat, an identity he hopes to solidify this upcoming season.  

An underrated ball handler who has made day-to-day efforts to increase his on-court awareness and create, it’s clear Schoemann leaves little room in his life for distraction.

While other high school seniors may be out tapping kegs and savoring the laid back lifestyle of their last few semesters, Schoemann is following a strict regimen that includes 300+ shots a night and three hard workouts per day.

Pushing Jack’s steady devotion is a guy who has consistently held him to a high standard throughout: his father.

 Chris Schoemann, who played basketball, baseball, and golf at Whitter College in California, is an accurate depiction of a hoops lifer. He coached Jack from the time he was first learning the fundamentals of the game up until eighth grade.

“Even after he was my coach, he's always been involved,” Jack Schoemann explained.

“It’s been a real advantage, having that support and having him workout with me. He’s always been there for advice. He played the game himself, so he is someone who understands what you’re going through out there on the court. He’s helped me in putting in a lot of work that people aren’t seeing. I’m confident it’s going to show.”

Another key piece in Schoemann’s support system is Shawnee Mission East head coach Shawn Hair.

As a senior who has been through his fair share of the battles, Hair expects Schoemann to take some ownership of this year’s team.

“We have a great relationship and it’s gotten even better this summer and fall,” Schoemann said. “Coach expects a lot out of me and I’m grateful for all that he’s done for me.”

Schoemann has an official visit lined up for Colorado State next month. He’s heard from Villanova, St. John's, Western Illinois, Drake and Middle Tennessee State as well. Quinnipiac, with newly-hired head coach Baker Dunleavy and a tireless veteran recruiter in Tom Pecora casting a wide net, has also expressed interest.

“The biggest difference in my game has been my defensive focus but I’ve also become more aware of what I can do,” Schoemann said. “If I have a smaller defender on me I can exploit the mismatch and go to the post. If I’m on the perimeter I can get free and get the shot I want.”

As the shot continues to fall and if Schoemann can continue to manufacture points at the pace he did this summer, expect his Division-I profile to soar.