Ameesah Cotten
By Bond Brungard
Ameesah Cotten gave Arturo Santana options when he wanted to exploit an opponent’s weakness inside.
The junior, though, was felled by a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury in the second game of the season, and any hopes for Santana’s plan at the post went down with her.
“I went up for a layup,” she said, “and I tore my ACL.”
The Lady Goldbacks missed the postseason last season after a late run, but this season that heartbreak will not mark the campaign after the team stopped Middletown last week to gain a playoff berth.
And during the run this season, Cotten has been a student of the game by sitting on the bench with her teammates.
“It’s crazy how different it is playing the game and watching the game is,” Cotten said, last week after the victory over Middletown. “I learned that talking is definitely key. And communication on and off the court is a big part of the game.”
After the game, Cotten was smiling with her teammates and enjoying the early moments at game’s end. And that’s the sort of presence that Cotten brings to the team.
“Her attitude is infectious,” said Santana. “She is just a great kid, on and off the court. Always happy.”
Cotten joined the varsity team as a sophomore, and she has not stayed away from the game this season despite her inability to play.
“I love basketball. I love scoring. I love the defense. I love my teammates,” said. “You take the good, you take the bad.”
In about nine months, Cotten will be getting ready in preseason practice for her final season with the Lady Goldbacks, and she’ll spend the summer getting ready for the 2019/2020 season.
“I am coming back faster, stronger and smarter,” she said.
And Santana is looking forward to Cotten’s return.
“Ameesah is a rebound champ. Offensive rebounds especially. She one of the best ones I have seen in a long time,” he said. “I expect a lot from her next year.”