"MY" GIRL

An article from the local paper...not too shabby GA, not too shabby. :)

(obviously I took the liberty to change things as to not give away too many specifics...)

She's missing on the court, but never missing in spirit
GA had her senior girls' basketball season cut short by an ACL injury.

By K TS, Staff Writer January 29, 2009

— As she waited her turn to take a free throw during warmups, GA laughed with teammates, clapped for every made foul shot and swayed to the music blaring in the High gym.

She stepped to the line but there was a delay in getting her the ball. First, had to hand her crutches to a teammate,.

A practice free throw is all the basketball GA gets to play these days.

One of the best basketball players in the state is shelved, having suffered a tear in the ACL of her left knee.

The ACL, also known as the anterior cruciate ligament, helps stabilize the knee joint.

No ACL, no basketball, no more dreams.

"I wanted to make it to the (CCCC)," GA said, referring to the semifinals. "That's been my dream since I was a freshman. I never made it.
"The three seniors – me, D and M – have all played together since about third grade. We go way back. This was a special year for me and the girls."

Without GA, THE TEAM has lost six straight.

"She was the leader on the court," D said. "She knew exactly where everybody was. Those passes that you normally expect to come from her "

Those passes aren't there. Nor are the aggressive rebounds, outside shots and inside drives.

GA, a 5-foot-9 guard and forward, led the league last year in points, rebounds, assists and steals. This year she was averaging 21.7 points, 13.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 5.5 steals and 2.2 blocks.
But there are more than statistics missing.

"I told the girls during the preseason that they're very fortunate to play with a GA," Coach said. "Because they're not always going to play with someone that good. I told them she's going to make them better. And she did.
"And she's still doing it in a sense. She's like a coach out there, trying to help out and trying to encourage the players."

She is the fourth of HER PARENTS five children. She's been dribbling a basketball since she could walk. And although she's home-schooled, she fits right in on campus. After her injury, she was barraged with notes, messages on her Facebook and even flowers. She is stopped at the local supermarket by people wishing her well. GA has that effect on people.

"I have two daughters," COACH said. "If my kids can be like her, then I've done something right. She's a quality person. She believes in herself. She believes in the kids around her. A friendly person. Never says a bad thing about anybody."

When GA landed awkwardly on a teammate's foot in practice Jan. 8, she screamed in agony. COACH and her teammates gathered around. Despite the pain, GA tried to stay positive.

"I kept looking at COACH saying, 'I can play. Don't worry. I can play. I'll be fine for Tuesday (the next game).' But I wasn't."

In the trainer's room, with her teammates and coach around her, she discovered how serious the injury was.

"When everyone found out it was her ACL, everybody just broke down," D said.

GA had not given up. "The next morning I went to the doctor. I was holding onto the hope it might not have been torn all the way, so I could put a brace on it. But he confirmed it."
GA will undergo surgery in two weeks to replace the ligament. The rehabilitation time is supposed to take six months.

"I cried myself to sleep for a week," she said. "But it really does make you grow."

Don't think GA has completely surrendered. Basketball is out. But she's also the defending state track and field champion in the shot put and discus (she was second in the javelin).

Despite the six-month diagnosis for rehab, GA is hoping to compete in a couple of meets before the end of the season and try to qualify for the state meet.

Regardless, she'll be competing next year on a basketball/track scholarship for College.
GA, who is an active member of HER CHURCH, was attracted to the Christian college on a visit there. "It was so welcoming," she said. "And it's little (less than 2,000 enrollment). I like little. I like being able to walk by someone and say, 'I know you.' "

GA has made herself known at SCHOOL. Caring, kind, a leader, she's still all of that.
What has changed is her role. Sporting a knee brace, supported by crutches, she is now a supporter from the bench. "I know I have to be there for them and just encourage them," GA said.