On Jan. 18, 2013, Cassandra Barraza underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in her right knee.
On June 11, she was back on the basketball court, playing the game she loves. Talk about a quick healer. Even in an era where athletes are coming back faster than ever from major injuries, Barraza’s recovery time came at a supersonic pace.
“The doctors told me I would be out six to nine months, and I came back earlier than that,” Barraza said. “It’s kind of a surprise, and I’m just fortunate I had a lot of people to support me through this process. It wasn’t easy.”
Of that, there is no doubt. Barraza underwent several months of grueling rehab — “Rehab felt like learning how to run and jump all over again,” she said — but her body responded well to the treatment.
The 5-foot-8 Barraza, who is averaging a team-best 11 points per game, hasn’t missed a beat since suffering the torn ACL while she was making a cut in the final seconds of the team’s sixth game last season.
“I had the ball in my hands and I faked one way, but my leg kind of went the other way,” Barraza said. “It felt like my kneecap just popped. I had no idea what an ACL was before that.”
Even though the Haybalers (3-13 overall, 1-4 Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division) are struggling — they lost two starters before the second game of the season — it’s players like Barraza that make a tough season more enjoyable.
“She’s the team’s foundation, our rock,” Balers coach Mitch Burley said. “She’s been fearless, driving the lane with no fear of contact. She plays everywhere from power forward to point guard, and does everything well. You see a girl like Cassandra and everything she’s been through, and then to see how she’s come all the way back, it reminds you why you got into this sport.”
Showing no ill effects from the injury, Barraza has displayed an indomitable spirit on the court, consistently taking the ball to the basket off dribble penetration.
Barraza has changed her mental approach to the game this season. In the past, if her defender was sagging off of her, Barraza settled for jump shots. This season, even when defenders are laying back, Barraza will look to take the ball to the basket.
“I want to keep my motor running the whole game,” she said. “I know I have to stay aggressive and play with a lot of energy from start to finish.”
Barraza plans on willing her team to the postseason, having built up plenty of resiliency within the last year.
“Tearing my ACL, I look at it now as a blessing in disguise,” she said. “While it was tough, painful and sad having to basically miss the entire season last year, it gave me an entirely different view of myself. It let me know that I was strong enough to overcome a huge challenge, and I have the mindset now that I can do anything.”
Indeed, Barraza’s resolve has been on display throughout the season, whether she’s driving to the basket, playing tough defense or rebounding with authority. However, it was off the court where Barraza showed her moxie.
A couple of hours after she came out from the surgery room, Barraza texted Burley these words: “I’m coming back next year coach, and I’ll be better than ever.”
And so it is.
