Joining forces: St. Charles East will be counting on the Schilb sisters this season
Addie Schilb sees multiple options when passing the ball inbounds, but one of her teammates will always stand out among the rest.
Standing on the baseline in an exhibition game against Kenwood this summer, Addie spotted another version of herself on the hardwood. One sporting the same blonde ponytail but standing 3 inches taller and two years younger. Nevertheless, one she’s known almost her entire life: her sister, Brooklyn.
The basketball fires from Point A to Point B in an instant, and Brooklyn converts an and-1 layup on the left block. From an onlooker’s perspective, Addie and Brooklyn have played together for years, but this season on St. Charles East’s squad will be their second.
The Schilb sisters’ chemistry derived from constant competition and continues to grow as the Saints strive for their third straight regional title and then advance to the state tournament. Coach Katie Claussner said doing so will be a marathon for the sisters, who never sat during the contest against Kenwood and will see minuscule bench minutes this winter.
“They are just really solid players all around and really solid leaders on the team,” Claussner said. “When they’re on the floor, we’re at our best.”
More time on the court is nothing new for the sisters, who routinely spent summer nights outside on the driveway, engaging in 1-on-1 battles or embracing physicality in games of 21 with their dad.
“We’re very competitive, so neither of us wants to lose,” Brooklyn said before Addie jumped in.
“We had to make a rule that we weren’t allowed to go 1-on-1 against each other unsupervised,” the older sister added.
When the sisters weren’t squaring off against each other, they were in the stands watching each other's games. They know each other’s preferences and tendencies on the court without having to verbalize it.
“We really just give looks,” Addie said. “We’re not even saying anything … I spent my whole life with this person and I know basically what she’s thinking before she says it. We know where we’re supposed to be.”
The sisters assisted each other multiple times against Kenwood, but each showcased their individual skills as well. Addie impressed with a coast-to-coast layup while Brooklyn dominated down low, scoring and-1 putbacks and blocking layups in transition.
Claussner sees Addie as more of a ballhandler, while Brooklyn as more of shooting guard but added each attack the basket and convert with ease. Last season, the pair each averaged double-digit scoring and shot at least 40% from the floor. The coach also has no worries with the Schilbs on defense.
“They are hustlers on defense,” Claussner said. “You can just tell that whoever they’re guarding is smothered at all times.”
Addie, a rising senior, will continue her college recruitment this year. The older sister wants to be an engineer and has interest in Wisconsin-Whitewater and University of Chicago but has yet to settle on her ideal destination. She pitches herself as an up-tempo player with good court vision who always adheres to the principle of defense as the best offense. This season she’s focusing on her leadership skills.
“I want a lot of girls to feel comfortable to turn to me on and off the court if they have questions,” she said. “I want girls to turn to me and also have trust in me, and I will have trust in them.”
Trust was Addie’s message to Brooklyn when she joined the team her freshman year. Trust in yourself, trust in your teammates, and the results will appear. By season's end, Brooklyn led the team in shooting percentage as the Saints went 14-0 in the DuKane Conference and captured the title for the first time in program history.
A loss to Glenbard West in sectionals ended last season for St. Charles East, who tied the program record for most wins in a season with 26. While the Schilb sisters are eager for a trip downstate, the duo takes time to recognize their unique situation.
“At the starting lineup (announcements) you hear both of our names,” Brooklyn said. “On the speaker, announcing, ‘Schilb to Schilb’ or ‘The Schilb sisters,’ I think it’s just fun to hear that. Just to know that this is special that we’re doing it together.”