North Cedar’s Emily Hay out for rest of basketball season

CLARENCE - The North Cedar girls' basketball team lost a big part of its leadership last month.

Senior Emily Hay tore her ACL while playing against Tipton on Dec. 13 and is done for the season.

Hay had just stolen the ball from Tipton point guard Emily Hermsen late in the third quarter when Hermsen attempted to take it back. The ball got loose and Hay and Hermsen both went for it. Tipton post Jamie Kofron came to assist Hermsen and in the process knocked Hay over, causing Hay to tear her ACL, sit out the rest of the game, and the rest of her senior year.

Coach Glenn Hay put senior Kourtney Bendixen into play for Hay. After the accident, Hay tried to walk off the pain and checked back into the game but had to come back out immediately because she did not have any stability.

Kelly Jensen, North Cedar's trainer, checked Hay's knee and benched her for the remainder of the game.

The Knights managed to win the game, but lost a team leader and their leading scorer.

Hay has been a regular starter since her sophomore year and suited her freshman year. Her favorite sport has been basketball since 'before I can even remember,” she said.

'I gained more love for the game when my dad became my coach,” she said.

It was a tough day when girls at North Cedar when they were given the news that Emily's injury was worse than they first thought and a torn ACL meant she was out for the season.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room after Coach Hay delivered the news. It was very tough for the girls to go back to class and act like nothing was wrong.

This injury left the Knights with only two seniors among the eight varsity players. Despite the small numbers, the Knights have not lost hope for a great season.

'Losing Emily has just pushed us to be better and work harder to win each game for her and ourselves,” said senior Lakaya Lyon.

The Knights are 4-5 - 0-2 since Hay's injury - heading into tonight's game at Mid-Prairie.