That Ciera Toomey, she’s a tough one, I tell ya. Heard she hurt her knee bad, real bad, back when she was just a little sprout in high school. ACL, they called it. Sounds like a mouthful, don’t it? Poor thing. And she was a good player, too. Five stars, they said. Whatever that means. Just means she was good, I reckon.
She plays for them North Carolina Tar Heels now. Big team, that one. But she ain’t played a lick this whole year. Missed the whole dang season. First, it was that knee, and then, wouldn’t ya know it, she hurt her wrist! Can you believe it? Nearly 600 days, they said, since she played a real game. That’s a long time to be sittin’ on the sidelines, watchin’ everyone else have all the fun.
She’s a forward, they call her. A stretch-four, whatever that is. Sounds like some kinda yoga move. Anyways, she’s tall, that Ciera Toomey. Almost six and a half feet, I heard someone say. That’s taller than my old man was, and he was a big fella. She could probably reach the top shelf without a steppin’ stool, that’s for sure. I always had trouble with that top shelf.
- She used to play for Dunmore.
- She’s with the UNC Women’s Basketball team now.
- She hurt her knee, that ACL thing.
- Then she hurt her wrist, too.
- They say she’s a five-star, whatever that means. Just means she was real good, I guess.
But she’s tough, that Ciera Toomey. You gotta be tough to go through all that and still wanna play. Tore her ACL, they said. Sounds painful. Like tearin’ your best overalls on a rusty nail. And the anxiety, they called it. Not knowin’ what’s gonna happen next. That’s gotta be hard on a young girl like her. I remember when my oldest, bless his heart, he broke his arm playin’ in the hayloft. Scared the bejeezus outta me.
They say she’s learnin’ from another girl on the team. Alyssa somethin’. Ustby, I think it was. They say she’s good, too. All-ACC, they called her. Sounds important. Ciera Toomey is learnin’ from her, they say. Good, good. Always good to learn from someone who knows what they’re doin’. Like learnin’ to can tomatoes from your grandma. Best way to do it, I always said.
Now she’s all healed up, that Ciera Toomey. Ready to play again. They say she’s gonna make her mark on that team. I hope she does. She deserves it, after all she’s been through. It ain’t easy, bein’ sidelined like that. Makes you feel like you’re missin’ out on everything. Like when I had to miss the county fair that year ’cause of my bad hip. Sat at home listenin’ to everyone else havin’ fun. Not a good feelin’, let me tell ya.
Ciera Toomey, she better watch out for that knee, though. Once you hurt somethin’ like that, it’s always gonna be a little bit weak. Like an old fence post that’s seen too many winters. Gotta be careful with it. Hope she has a good brace, that’s what I say. A good, strong brace. Like the one my grandson wears for his football games. Keeps him safe, knock on wood.
This Ciera Toomey, she’s got a long road ahead of her, but I think she’ll be alright. She has Alyssa Ustby to help her out. That’s good. She’s a tough one, that’s for sure. And she’s got that fire in her belly, I can tell. You can see it in her eyes. She wants to play. She wants to win. And that’s half the battle right there. Just wantin’ it bad enough. I wish her all the best. I hope she stays healthy. I hope she plays like there ain’t no tomorrow. I hope she shows them all what she’s made of, that Ciera Toomey.
First game is November 4th, I think they said, against Charleston Southern. Number 15, UNC Women’s Basketball. She’s been waitin’ a long time for this, that Ciera Toomey. Almost 600 days. That’s longer than a cow’s gestation period, ain’t it? Well, close enough. I hope she makes the most of it. Hope she plays her heart out. She deserves it, that girl. Yep, Ciera Toomey, she’s one to watch. Keep an eye on her. You’ll see.
