It was with a heavy heart that I read the e-mail last week from Coach Lin giving me the results of Trish’s MRI. So please bear with me while I do what sportswriters sometimes do best. Cry over spilled milk.
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A torn ACL…What an unfitting end to a great high school basketball career.
I really believe the Lady Bulldogs were on their way toward winning their first Grand River Conference basketball title since the 1983-84 season. Nothing against Albany and Maysville, or our girls who are struggling to carry on, but two losses by a total of seven points… wouldn’t have happened with Trish in the lineup.
With our win against Hamilton, and Hamilton’s early victory over Stanberry, we stood a great chance of earning at least some share of the conference title. We’ll remember for a long time, how Trish took over that Hamilton game.
I’m sure she’s going to see some post season basketball honors and awards, and I hope those honors go some distance in offsetting the realization that she will also miss track season and a return to state in the shot put event.
Trish’s injury cost her at least 7 ½ games of the basketball season, probably more, and prevents her from reaching the 1,000 point plateau for her career. Officially, she finishes with 888 points in 91 games, seventh by my reckoning, on the all-time Lady Bulldog scoring list.
I’m sure her 458 career rebounds are a Top Ten all time at GHS. Steals and assists marks are hard to come by, but she finished with 148 and 95, respectively, in those two categories. Her 116 three-pointers rank second behind only Erin Sweatman’s 122. Trish was also a 71% career free throw shooter (154 of 218). That’s hard to beat, especially in pressure-packed situations.
I know Trish and her family are dealing with this well. She’s been a positive influence on the bench these last few games. Coaches Lin and Boles, and Trish’s teammates are staying positive, and I know they are going into each and every remaining game with no other thought than getting another win. The victory over South Harrison was sweet as the Lady Bulldogs pulled together and found a new chemistry that also served them well against Princeton.
One final note. Trish will continue to dress out, and could get into a game under special circumstances. Should a situation arise where Coach Lin needs someone to shoot technical free throws, you can bet it will be Trish.