As the Mississippi State women’s basketball team continues to advance in the NCAA tournament, it will become increasingly difficult to conceal its secret weapon: Father-daughter power team Vic and Blair Schaefer.
Vic Schaefer has been coaching his daughter since middle school the Associated Press reported. Since then, Blair Schaeffer has worked her way up to becoming one of Mississippi’s top scorers, propelling her team into the Sweet 16 for the second year in a row.
But before people jump to conclusions, it’s crucial to note that the “daddy’s little girl” advantage has no place on Vic Schaeffer’s team. Blair has had to bust it extra hard to prove her mettle. During the regular season, the 5-foot-7 junior started in just one game, averaging between 5 and 15 minutes per contest.
But all that changed when the team lost three crucial games leading up to the NCAA Tournament. That’s when Coach Vic made the strategic decision to place Blair in the starting lineup.
The coach’s daughter went on to score 21 points against Troy in the first round of the tournament — a career high — and 18 points against DePaul. If anyone was wondering if she deserved the promotion, they aren’t anymore.
“I won’t be able to outrun the number of people there are in this world who will wonder what in the heck I’ve been doing with her,” Vic Schaefer told the AP. “Obviously she’s had two really good games back-to-back.”
As for Blair, she’s thankful for the opportunity she’s been given, and she trusts her coach wholeheartedly.
“It’s definitely very unique,” she told the AP. “You have to have a very good relationship with each other if it’s going to work and you also have to have a team that’s going to be good about the situation.”
Blair, a Christian, has used her time on MSU team as a chance to hone the biblical virtue of humility.
1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
— Blair Schaefer (@Blair__Schaefer) March 22, 2017
Vic Schaefer has many reasons to be proud of his daughter. And he doesn’t mind sharing them.
“She’s earned her way,” he said. “She’s a heckuva player. There’s no moment too big for her.”
Clearly, the respect is mutual.
Thankful for the unique opportunities that God has blessed me with. God is so good. #IPlayForHIM pic.twitter.com/oT84cbubc5
— Blair Schaefer (@Blair__Schaefer) March 21, 2017
“It’s very cool to see him coaching such a great team and being so successful and knowing that I’m a part of that,” Blair said.
The Mississippi Bulldogs play their next game Friday, March 24, where they will face off against the Washington Huskies.
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