By RENALDO DORSETT
Tribune Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
LASHANN Higgs is expected to receive a medical redshirt to return to the Texas Longhorns women’s basketball programme and recently detailed her struggles with the long road to recovery from a season-ending knee injury.
In November, the senior guard was diagnosed with a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. Recovery time for the injury is traditionally 9-12 months.
“The most difficult part was the next three months. It was painful every day no matter what you did. No matter how many pain killers you took, the pain wasn’t going to stop,” Higgs told the Daily Texan.
“It’s hard to see what you used to be and what you are now. It’s kind of a mental thing, (thinking) ‘I used to be this fast.’ Trying to keep myself positive mentally was definitely the struggle.” Approximately four months into her recovery period, Higgs is reportedly still limited to “form shooting and stationary workouts.”
Texas associate athletic trainer Heidi Wlezien said the mental part of the recovery is just as important as the physical aspect.
“That mental component plays such a big role with getting back. Even though you might be medically cleared at six months or nine months, you might not still be playing at the pre-injury level. That mental component plays such a big role with getting back,” Wlezien said. “Even though you might be medically cleared at six months or nine months, you might not still be playing at the pre-injury level.”
Though sidelined, Higgs received her third selection to the Academic All-Big 12 Teams. She was one of just eight student-athletes in the conference this year to have at least three selections.
First team members consisted of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests.
Through three games, Higgs was averaging 16.3 points, five rebounds and 4.3 assists per game on 56 percent shooting from the field.
Despite her limited time on the floor this season, she became the 44th player in Texas history to reach the 1000 point plateau when she scored 20 points in a 64-54 win over North Texas.
“I feel like my teammates need to hear my voice more,” Higgs said. “(I) lead by example. At some point, I need to incorporate being more vocal.”
Higgs entered her senior season projected to be one of the top players in the Big 12 conference and was named to the 10-member Preseason All-Big 12 Team. She came off a junior season where she claimed All-Big 12 Second Team, Big 12 All-Defensive Team, USWBA National Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week.
As a junior, she started 35 games and averaged 12.8 points per game, which ranked third on the team, 3.3 rebounds per game and was third on the squad with 1.4 steals per game. Scored in double figures on 21 occasions, including four 20-plus point performances.
In her sophomore season, Higgs - the Harbour Island native - averaged eight points, three rebounds, 1.5 assists and one steal in just over 17 minutes per game. She built upon the numbers from her freshman season when she averaged 7.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in 13.2 minute
The Longhorns were ranked No. 11 in the country headed into the season, but were eventually eliminated in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament by the Indiana Hoosiers.
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