HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Mount Vernon's Platte thrives through injuries

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com

By Hannah Whitley, Mount Vernon Senior

MOUNT VERNON - Alli Platte's basketball career flashed before her eyes early in July of 2011.

Now a junior, Platte was furthering her skills at a UNI basketball camp that summer to prepare for her high school career. She stole the ball from an opponent and tried going coast to coast to score for her team.

All she remembers is someone was playing defense on her when she was heading down the court. She went in for the lay-up and was either pushed while in the air by the defender or came down and landed wrong.

How the injury happened didn't matter as much as the damage to her knee. When Platte landed, she felt her knee go to the inside. She soon found out she had torn her ACL. This is a very painful injury that takes roughly six to 10 months to recover from.

The ACL is one of four major knee ligaments. There are more than 100,000 ACL tears in the United States each year. Platte turned to her very supportive family, especially her mother and father, for guidance through this life-changing injury.

What helped Platte get through her injury was her belief she could 'come out of this injury better than before.'

Being able to compete and participate in what she loves, Platte was back for her sophomore year of basketball, averaging 8.6 points per game. She was the second leading scorer for the Mustangs.

Unfortunately the summer of her sophomore year, in June, Platte tore her same ACL for a second time. She once again was at a summer basketball camp, but this time at Drake University. Platte said she felt her ACL rip but, 'I prayed, wished and hoped it wasn't torn, but ultimately, I knew it was.'

The first ACL surgery and rehab Platte went through was different than her second experience. Her first surgery involved taking from her hamstring to replace her ACL. For the second surgery, they used her patellar tendon. The patellar tendon surgery is a more painful surgery and forces rehab to go at a slower pace.

Platte had more problems with her second surgery, but she knew what to expect.

Platte came back halfway through this past basketball season. She worked hard in the off season to have the chance to play with her senior teammates one last time. This 2014 season, Platte played 16 of the 24 games and led the team in points per game at 11.1. She also had 21 assists and 21 blocked shots.

Platte came back and helped her team out tremendously.

The two injuries have helped Platte mature and not take things for granted. She thinks about what her future has in store for her since her former plans have changed because of her injury. She doesn't know where she wants to go to college, but playing basketball in college would be a huge dream.

Platte started her basketball career in the first grade on a YMCA team coached by her father. In second grade, she decided to play for the Cedar Rapids Panthers. She played on that team with her friend, Abbey Teubel. They are, and have been, longtime teammates. She played on the Panthers club team until fifth grade. She moved club teams, yet again, to Kingdom Hoops in Des Moines and still plays for that team.

Her Kingdom Hoops basketball team practices two times a week. Platte is driven by her parents because the distance is too far for her to drive alone. Her club team plays about 10 to 12 tournaments each season. She enjoys club basketball because it gives her an opportunity to work on her skills.

'The more reps you get, the better player you will be,' Platte said, adding her club coaches are phenomenal  and have taught her a wide range of skills.

Some people play basketball to stay in shape, some play it for fun, but Platte plays basketball because she loves the sport. She enjoys watching basketball on TV and even going to NBA games. This past December, Platte was lucky enough to get to go to the Miami Heat game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

'It was a dream come true,' she said.From having her ACL torn twice, Platte has learned to deal with all kinds of situations and to rise about any challenge. She has learned many life lessons while patiently going through the rehab processes with both surgeries.

'I know if my plans change I can adapt and come up with a better plan for myself,' Platte said. 'Everything happens for a reason, this is truly something I believe.'

As rough as it has been for Platte the past three years, she made sure to learn life lessons from her unfortunate injuries. She has bounced back from these injuries with passion and continues to thrive as an athlete at Mount Vernon High School.