Apr 7, 2007 By Bobby Fox 4 min read

During her four years as a starter at Carmichaels, Megan Stuvek was a big fish in a small pond, both in terms of her height and her prodigious production. However, this fall, that big fish is dropping into a whole new ocean.

Stuvek, the school’s all-time leader in points and rebounds for boys and girls, will continue her basketball career at Division II Wheeling Jesuit next year.

“I really like their style of play,” Stuvek said of her new team. “They seemed like they really wanted me.”

According to women’s coach Joe Key, Stuvek is correct in her assumption about landing the standout center on their roster.

“Athletically, she’s very good,” Key said. “I really think she’ll be better in college because she won’t get double-teamed every time she touched the ball like in high school. She has good hands and moves very well for her size.”

The 6-1 star chose Wheeling over several other schools, including fellow West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) members West Liberty State and Shepherd.

While Stuvek’s numbers certainly attracted Key’s attention, it was one of her more intangible qualities that convinced the 19-year coaching veteran that she’d be a good fit in his program.

“One of the things that I really like about her was that she really showed a lot of leadership on the floor,” Key said. “I was really impressed with that. A lot of kids who know that scouts are coming act differently. She didn’t know I was coming and she still showed a great attitude.”

While both Stuvek and Key are eagerly anticipating next year, Stuvek’s high school coach, Jim Lane, admits that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to replace the program’s greatest player ever.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we’re hopeful,” Lane said. “We’re excited about the future, but we’re going to miss Megan. The whole program is happy for her. We wish her the best.”

Lane is also confident that the man who’ll replace him as Stuvek’s basketball mentor can take her game to a whole new level.

“I think she could do whatever the coach asks her to do,” Lane said. “She can do a lot of different things. I know when she gets there, that coach will teach her a lot and mold her into the best college basketball player she can be.”

After looking down the Cardinals’ roster from last season, some may be surprised by Stuvek’s choice of teams. Assuming there aren’t transfers or team departures, Wheeling Jesuit will have four players returning next year that stand at least 5-11.

Though his latest recruit will not have the height advantage that she is used to having, Key believes that Stuvek will be able to contribute in the low post, and it may happen fairly soon.

“She’ll be a post player for us,” Key said. “In our offense, our post players move out to the perimeter. If she works on her shooting and ball handling she could play the post.”

While Stuvek will have to deal with a transition period like any other college freshman, she could see an old familiar face when she hits the court.

Former West Greene standout guard Rachel Phillips, now a student and basketball player at West Liberty State, was red-shirted during her freshman season and should see some time next season.

Like Stuvek, Phillips is the all-time leading scorer at her high school, boy or girl, and the two had a fierce, but friendly rivalry during their days in Class A. The former Mike is looking forward to rekindling it.

“It would be cool,” Stuvek said. “That would’ve been awesome if I would’ve went there and we could’ve played together. I’m looking forward to playing her.”

Though the Lady Cardinals won’t tip off the 2007-2008 campaign for another eight months, their newest player will be getting a big jump on getting to know her new coach and team. Stuvek met with the team for her first open gym on March 28 and will play with them in a league in Ohio this summer.

When she’s not at a game, practice or workout, Stuvek plans on pursuing a nursing degree.

So, while one of the truly memorable girls careers in Greene County history has come to an end, many, including Stuvek’s old coach, are hoping that a new, even better college career is just over the horizon.

“I’m happy for her,” Lane said. “It’s a good school in a strong conference. I know it’s going to be a challenge for her. I hope everything that she’s gone through here will prepare her for that.”