Prior to the start of her final basketball season, Winkelmann was a key component of the Hermann volleyball squad that swept St. Pius X to earn the Class 2 MSHSAA volleyball state championship.

This was the fourth trip to state for Hermann and the second volleyball title in the past three seasons with Winkelmann playing a leading role.

On the basketball court Winkelmann wasted no time making her presence felt.  She began contributing quickly as a freshman, when she averaged 21.3 points and 4.43 rebounds per game.  In her sophomore season, she averaged 28.5 points per game, grabbing 5 rebounds per contest. 

Shelby has a great work ethic and is a competitor", commented Hermann head coach Todd Anderson.  She plays the same way, whether it’s the state championship game or a practice in November.  She gives everything she has every time she steps on the court.

With growth and maturity, Winkelmann expanded her game helping the Lady Bearcats in many ways. "Shelby has given us scoring from the minute she stepped onto the floor as a freshman", commented Anderson.  However, her game has developed into a well rounded game as she has gotten older." 

In her junior season, she averaged 27.6 points, connected on 61% of her three point attempts, and pulled down 6 rebounds. In her final season, Winkelmann averaged 28.3 points, 8.5 rebounds per game for the Lady Bearcats who finished with a 26-6 mark advancing all the way to the Class 3 championship game.

"This year she led our team in scoring, rebounding, steals, and assists.  She sees the floor remarkably well and is a tremendous passer.  She has been a leader on our team since her sophomore year."

Winning awards is nothing new for Winkelmann who has been named as a four-time Four Rivers all-conference member including being named Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior.  For four years Winkelmann earned first-team all-state selection by the Missouri Sportscasters and Sportswriters and was named to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association all-state team.

Winkelmann finished her basketball career as the second all-time leading scorer in Missouri history with 3,226 points, she pulled down 725 rebounds, dished 430 assists, and collected 430 steals.  As a freshman, she played a key role on a Hermann squad that finished second in the state.  During her career, Hermann compiled a 99-23 record advancing deep into the MSHSAA playoffs each season.

Earlier, Winkelmann earned a national award when she was named the Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year.  The award, which recognizes athletic excellence, also takes into account high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the court.

Winkelmann is ranked No. 1 in her graduating class at Hermann and carries a 4.28 weighted grade point average in the classroom.

"Shelby is a tremendous athlete, but I feel her work ethic and strong character is what truly sets her apart", added Anderson. 

As for her immediate future, Winkelmann passed on offers to play basketball at Missouri, Northern Iowa, and Creighton and will remain on the hardwood, but as a member of the University of Nebraska volleyball team. 

"Great kid!  She represents everything that is good about high school athletics", added Anderson.  What more can you say!

Check out video story on Shelby by Eric Blumburg