Shumate, Sharps enjoyed career nights in head-to-head MAC encounter
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio ― Considering that Katie Shumate and Morgan Sharps started playing together in the fourth grade and continued on through stellar careers at Newark High School, it was almost like a family reunion 10 days ago at Bowling Green's Stroh Center.
Make no mistake about it, however. When they took the floor, Shumate for visiting Kent State and Sharps for the host Falcons, it was strictly business and they did not disappoint in what may have been their final head-to-head Mid-American Conference meeting.
Both had career games, Sharps scoring 21 of her 30 points in the second half while Shumate poured in 20 of her 26 over the final two quarters after first-half foul trouble. In the end, with Shumate hitting seven of eight second-half shots, the third-place Flashes prevailed 82-74 over fifth-place BG.
They ended up guarding each other at different times.
"It was cool. It was a great night," said Shumate, a 6-foot guard in her final season with Kent. "We know how each other play, and Morgan has never looked better or shot the ball better. She has developed a lot more off the dribble."
Sharps first faced Shumate during her sophomore season, after transferring from Xavier.
"It's cool being on the court with her, every possession trying to one up each other," said Sharps, a 5-10 guard playing her last games for BG. "It was great playing against a good team."
A year ago, Sharps had surgery for a torn ACL. But nine months later, she was back on the court near Thanksgiving.
"I had a lot of support," she said. "Our assistant coach, Maggie Lucas (a former Penn State star), played in the WNBA and tore her ACL three times. She knew what I had to do to get back. Plus, when I wasn't able to be out there I worked on my release and was able to watch the games closer to see what was going on."
Shumate has been the model of consistency for the Flashes, averaging 12.6 points and 5.6 rebounds over her career, shooting 77% at the line and 37% on 3-pointers. She is 30 rebounds shy of the program's all-time record, and her 1,640 career points has her 10th on the list. She was third-team All-MAC last year after two honorable mentions.
This year, her 14.2 scoring and 80.5% foul shooting lead the team and rank fifth in the MAC. Shumate also tops Kent in blocked shots, is tied for the lead at 6.6 rebounds and is second in steals.
"I've been able to find my teammates more," she said. "And trying to be more consistently aggressive with my moves to the basket even if I'm not having a great game."
Sharps is seventh in the MAC with her 13.9 scoring, second on the Falcons and is among BG's all-time leaders with her 41.2 percentage on 3s, including 38.5 this season. She is second in the league in 3s made per game. Including her year at Xavier, she is 67 points shy of 1,000 for her career at 933.
"I've found my shot and gotten to where I am by staying focused and letting the game come to me and not forcing anything," Sharps said.
Both scored 22 points in their next game, Shumate in a loss to first-place Ball State and Sharps in a win over Northern Illinois. The Flashes (13-6, 8-2) trail Ball State (10-0) and Toledo (9-1) in the standings, while BG (11-9, 5-5) is right in the middle of the pack. There are nine regular-season games left.
"We're about where we should be," Shumate said. "Our defense was good against Ball State, but not our offense, and it was the other way around against Toledo. The consistency will come, and when we become even more efficient we will be a better team."
Sharps also has high hopes for her Falcons. The two could meet again in the MAC Tournament.
"We lost three early games, but we've battled back and have proven we can compete with anyone," she said. "I play every game like it's my last."
The dynamic duo has been able to successfully balance basketball and the books. Sharps graduated in sports management in December and will go to graduate school and get her master's. After taking some demanding classes, Shumate will receive her biology pre-med degree and later will attend Kent's podiatry school in Cleveland.
But first, both plan on playing overseas.
"My dad (former Newark coach J.R. Shumate) has some good connections," Shumate said.
Former Newark and Indiana star Kym Royster played in Australia and is now in Finland. And Shumate's brother, J.T., starred at Newark and Toledo prior to moving on to a successful season in Romania.
Sharps wants to be a coach and already has her foot in the door. In December, top-ranked South Carolina came to the Stroh Center, and she drilled seven 3s and had 25 points. Her head coach, Fred Chmiel, was a longtime assistant for the Gamecocks under Dawn Staley, and coached her in the WNBA.
"With her love and passion for the game, she'll be a great coach," Shumate predicted.
Shumate and Sharps led Newark to four consecutive district titles and a 2017 state tournament berth before graduating in 2019. Sharps owns the all-time 3-point percentage and is second leading scorer, behind only Royster, with Shumate near the top of nearly every program category.
It's no surprise that J.R. Shumate, who led the Wildcats to four state tournaments including a 2021 state runner-up, has several playing collegiately. Daughter Emma plays for fifth-ranked Ohio State, while Gabby Stare became Ohio Dominican's all-time leading scorer during the NCAA era.
"A lot of credit to coach Shumate for the dedication he's had to all of his players," Sharps said. "He prepares everyone to be able to play at the college level."
Added Katie Shumate: "Coming into college, no one was as prepared as we were. I've had no practices since that were more intense."
As she looks to the future, she's grateful for her basketball and college experience over the years.
"It's helped me to become the person I am," Shumate said.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Shumate, Sharps enjoyed career nights in head-to-head MAC encounter
