It happened again to the Prairie Falcons, to Heather Corral.
Only this time, it’s different.
This season, there are three senior starters on the floor for the Prairie Falcons, three who can lead by example and with their words. Three who can convince the younger players that this team can still reach its goals.
Lanae Adams, Angela Gelhar, and Lauren Goecke all had key moments Monday in Prairie’s 52-46 victory over Kennedy in the championship game of the Class 3A bi-district girls basketball tournament. It was the first game the Falcons played since learning Corral, a junior who already has scholarship offers from premier college programs, was out for the playoff run with a torn ACL in her left knee.
“It was really important for our confidence, to know we could get through a tough game,” said Goecke, who took over the ball-handling duties after playing forward for most of the season.
“We’re still Prairie.”
Those three words came through clearly. The Falcons still have an opportunity to win the Class 3A state championship. Prairie will face Lakeside of Seattle in the opening round of the state tournament at 8 p.m. Friday at Auburn Mountainview High School. If the Falcons win, they will advance to the elite eight in the Tacoma Dome. If they lose, they will get another shot on Saturday to reach the Dome.
This is the 14th consecutive trip to the state tournament for the program. The Falcons made it last season without Corral, as well, after she tore the ACL in her right knee early in the 2009-10 campaign.
“Last year, we had to deal with losing Heather. I didn’t know what to do,” Gelhar said. “This year, we have done this before. We can do it. I’m not scared like I was last year.
“I’m not scared.”
That attitude was not automatic. When Corral went down in the bi-district semifinals on Saturday, there was an initial concern.
“I don’t know about you,” Gelhar said, talking to Goecke, “but I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what do we do?’ I just had to collect myself. Then I could just calm everyone down.”
Goecke said the advice from coach Al Aldridge helped. He reminded the players that they are a team of 11, not a team of one. Certainly the Falcons are better with a healthy Corral, but in any team sport, the team must adapt to injuries. The schedule won’t change because of a blown knee.
The years of long, demanding practices have allowed Gelhar and Goecke to grow in their roles as leaders.
“I used to look up to the older kids,” Gelhar said. “Now, I’m one of the older kids.“
Goecke said she remembered just trying to do everything perfect as a younger player, almost like a robot.
As her game developed, as she matured as a player, she was given more responsibility. All of that experience has helped her today.
“As a captain, even if I get frustrated, I have to be there for my team,” Goecke said. “I have to put my mistakes behind me and keep moving on. I have to push through stuff that happens.”
Gelhar agreed. The seniors have to know that all eyes are on them.
“Your team is still looking for you for advice,” she said. “We can’t get down because our team is looking for us to get them pumped up.”
Even when bad news is delivered.
No one on Prairie’s team knows more about bad news regarding injuries than Adams. She had 13 rebounds and the game-sealing three-point play in Monday’s win. Just being on the court is a victory, too.
Adams (who was sick on Tuesday and unavailable for the interview and photo session for this story) has missed three AAU seasons and two full high school seasons after enduring three surgeries for separate injuries.
“Knowing all that she has been through and knowing it’s all come together right now means so much to me,” said Goecke, who noted she and Adams have been close friends for years. “Seeing how happy she is is awesome.”
“She could have been on varsity since her sophomore year,” Gelhar explained. “To come back from three surgeries is remarkable.”
Goecke and Gelhar called Adams an inspiration.
There is a lot that going on at Prairie. The Falcons still believe they can win a state championship.
“Stick together as a team and do it for Heather,” Gelhar said.
