The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Injuries depleting team
This is how things are playing out for the Lady Titans basketball team. Heading into the year, coach MaryMike Haley had a roster full of youth and energy that were ready to be led by a core group of upperclassmen.
Unfortunately, as the season wore on, the upperclassmen started to suffer a spate of injuries and have yet to return to full strength. Senior Natalie Bowen may be gone for the season with a stress fracture. Senior Toni Brown continues to battle a nagging wrist injury. Junior Maddie Stichter opened the season with a bad back and now has a bad ankle slowing her down. Sophomore Elisabeth Desmarais joined the team, bringing some height inside but soon found her knee filling with fluid at every game.
“We’re riddled with injuries and physical drama,” says Haley. “It’s like I’ve got only two girls on the floor at a time.”
Haley does see a positive side, though.
“When the older girls are sidelined, it gives the younger girls an opportunity and the time they’re getting will help,” says Haley. “We are building a program here.”
Heading into their game against Del Norte on Friday, January 27, things only got worse. While the rest of the team was prepared to play with injury, Bowen was definitely out and Haley’s back up plan was freshman Mallory Mikeska. According to Haley, Mikeska was up to the challenge until she hit the floor during the JV game and was done for the night with a concussion.
“I was ready to start her,” says Haley. “They’re just dropping like flies.”
Needless to say, with the team hampered by injuries, the Del Norte game was rough.
“It was ugly,” says Haley.
Del Norte took a 12-4 lead in the first quarter and continued to build on it all game long, finishing with a 57-13 win.
While the Lady Titans defense was working relatively well, the offense was in complete shambles.
“We were there defensively,” says Haley. “We just couldn’t put together any offense. Part of it is experience but part of it is mental toughness.”
As the players heal this week, Haley will try to prepare them for a home game on Friday, February 3 against South Park.
“My hope is that we can be competitive,” says Haley. “I don’t know what to expect. It might be an opportunity for these younger girls to step up and represent.”
The girls JV play at 3 p.m. with the varsity slated to tip off at 6 p.m.
