After hitting the floor from a layup, senior Kristen Warncke immediately knew she had torn her ACL for the second time in two basketball seasons. The snap in her knee was familiar after she had to sit out for all of her junior season, recovering and preparing for her senior season, her last chance to shine in high school basketball.

The team was playing in the Visitation tournament against St. Joseph Academy when they witnessed Warncke, one of their starting seniors hit the floor. Knowing what was happening, Warncke had to accept the fact that she could no longer play this season.

“As soon as I heard a pop, I knew I tore my ACL,” Warncke said. “The moment it happened I was really sad cause I knew. It was hard to accept it, but as soon as I did, I was able to get past it.”

After realizing the fact her high school basketball career had ended, she was encouraged because her college coach was at the game to ensure a basketball experience at Westminster College.

“It makes it easier to get past this, knowing I get to play for four more years for a great coach. That makes me excited,” Warncke said.

For the next seven months, Warncke will be recovering through physical therapy. She is currently going to her therapist two to three times a week and spending time in the school trainer’s office the rest of the days.

The team will have to recover from this loss, as she was one of the highest scorers on the team. Sophomore Haley Allen knows that there is a big gap to fill, but is confident that the team can make up for it.

“She was a great leader and now other people will have to step up. She was one of the best shooters and scorers on the team and some other players will have to improve and score for us,” Allen said. “It takes time to get over the loss of Kristen, but by districts, we are going to be working together as a team.”

The team will play at the Warrenton Invitational tournament tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. after beating Timberland last night 49-43.