I can only imagine how Andi Adams must have felt.
I remember how excited I was before the start of conference play in every sport during my high school career.
Ironically, there is always more motivation to get the wins that earn bragging rights for a year or less than those where bragging rights stand for multiple calendars.
Nevertheless, Adams wasn’t thinking about any of that.
“I was a little nervous and coach (Julie Martin) came up to me and said, ‘What’s going to happen?'” Adams said. “I was like, ‘Thanks a lot.'”
The Tomahawks’ Dec. 9 contest was an anniversary of sorts for her. Last year’s home game against Cascade is when Adams, playing as a sophomore, tore her ACL.
Following such a tear is surgery and difficult rehab — all while dealing with the fear that you won’t be the same no matter how hard you try. Not to mention watching your teammates end their season just one game, or seven points, short of a state tournament berth. That is a lot for anybody to deal with in less than a year — especially a high school student.
“You could see it on her face before the game, you never forget about it,” said Martin, who has suffered similar knee injuries. “You kind of always think about it.”
Nonetheless, Adams proved in a 44-39 win that comebacks do happen — both for her and her team. The Tomahawks earned their first win behind Adams’ 12 points and full-court pressure of Cascade’s guards. Together, the Tomahawks overcame separate 10- and a nine-point deficits. But this win is a much larger triumph for Adams.
“It feels good to go back out there and play the way we did,” she said. “We didn’t give up and kept fighting.”
I’d say that sums up Adams’ entire offseason and training up to this point, which Marysville needed Dec. 9.
With less than a minute left with the score tied 39-39 against Cascade, Adams stepped into a perimeter pass and hit her second three-pointer of the quarter, which turned out to be the decisive basket.
After the game, Adams was smiling and gracefully receiving congratulations. It’s amazing how one game — or one shot even — can characterize someone.
