'No Regrets' for Buck
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
There is no challenge on the basketball court that McClain High School graduate Shelby Buck has not only endured, but overcome the past four years while attending college at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
The challenges faced by Buck for the past four years have been tough both physically and mentally, as the '10 MHS graduate tore her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and her meniscus in her right knee, 10 games into her freshman season at UMass Boston.
Her second injury suffered was what is called "an unhappy triad" as she tore her ACL, medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the meniscus of her left knee before the season even began during summer league play.
[[In-content Ad]]"The first time I was injured, it was during a game, and at first I thought I dislocated my knee," Buck said. "I didn't think much of it, but I ended up tearing the ACL and meniscus. I had surgery and did the rehab and recovered.
"Then my junior season … I suffered a tear of three parts in the knee – 'the unhappy triad,' they called it – and I ended up taking a medical redshirt."
That first injury challenged Buck more than she thought she could ever be challenged — on or off — the basketball court, as she said she "lived" for basketball her entire life, and it was a big part of her life ... more than she imagined.
"The first injury was intense because it was the first time I suffered an injury like that," Buck said. "After surgery, I couldn't walk on it and was on crutches for two months.
"I was in the training room for two to three hours per day and was doing anything I could to start feeling the strength again."
Buck spoke about the challenges following the first ACL injury.
"The first time was tough, but never once did I think I would quit basketball," she said. "I was having a great start to my freshman season, and to have it suddenly taken away was tough.
"When I returned my sophomore year, I didn't play up to my potential."
During that 10-game freshman campaign, Buck averaged 33.9 minutes per game, as she scored 10.3 points per game. That season, she was shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Her sophomore season, she played in 26 games, averaging 2.6 ppg in 12.9 minutes per game.
Then it happened. In a college summer league game, the "unhappy triad" occurred, and an entire season was lost.
Instead of giving up, Buck, who had been playing basketball since she was a child, gave basketball one more chance and started another grueling rehab process.
This time, she said, her mindset and attitude was different. There was no self-doubt, because she knew what to do as she had already been through the process and had the mental part down pat.
"I had a better attitude the second time around," Buck told The Highland County Press. "I was OK with the fact I wasn't going to be the same player I was once before.
"I knew there was nothing I could do about it, and that helped me out in the long run. Sure, the first time I took it really hard because I love basketball so much, but it was all a huge learning experience."
BOSTON
Before all the injuries and life changes due to those injuries, Buck took that love of basketball she first gained playing in Greenfield and in various AAU programs and decided she wanted to continue her career, post-high school, in Boston, Mass. for the Division III Beacons.
"I first met Coach (Courtney) Mattingly when I was playing an AAU game when we were playing in a tournament in Washington D.C.," Buck said. "She eventually sent me a letter, and I didn't think much of it.
"I eventually went on a campus visit, and it was in the middle of the city, and I loved it. Coach is amazing, the assistant coaches were amazing and I loved the atmosphere … I couldn't say no."
THE FIRST RETURN
When looking back to her first game her sophomore year following her recovery from the first ACL tear, she had to get used to some basic aspects of basketball, one being contact and playing with no fear.
"I had to deal with the mental parts of basketball," Buck said. "I had to get used to getting hit, and it took a while to get past that. The first time I fell … I freaked out.
"My sophomore year, my game changed the most, and it took me a long time to get past that."
"WHATEVER HAPPENS … HAPPENS"
After rehabbing her entire junior year, Buck knew this was it entering her senior season for the Beacons. She had just missed over a season and a half of collegiate basketball due to her knees giving out on her.
In that time, she not only changed her style of play, as she gave up minutes to do what was best for the team, but she did have a new attitude when she was on the court when it pertained to her injuries … "whatever happens, happens," as she actually did leave everything she had out on the court her senior season.
"I just played my heart out and didn't worry about getting injured," Buck said.
During her senior year this past winter, Buck played in 24 games, averaging 3.9 ppg and shooting 32.2 percent from beyond the arc, good for seventh place overall in the Little East Conference.
"I've played basketball my entire life, and not being able to play the way I had always played was tough," Buck said. "Playing basketball, I just have a passion for it … it is unexplainable.
"Basketball for me is more than just a game. I love being with my teammates, where I've been able to make lifelong friendships with them from high school, AAU and college. One day, I'd like to get into coaching."
Speaking of her college teammates, Buck said they helped in her recovery.
"They've been supportive through it all," she said. "When I was injured, I just wanted to be a leader for them. They gave me support, and it made the rehab so much easier. I couldn't have done it without them."
Family was also important for Buck during all the rehab, surgeries and recoveries.
"My family were huge supporters," she said. "They flew to Boston for the surgeries and games. It was hard on them too because they loved watching me play and were my biggest supporters."
NO REGRETS
"Regret" isn't in the vocabulary of Buck (who will graduate with a degree in exercise and health science), as she said she had no regrets from her four years of collegiate basketball career, full of injuries and hard work. In fact, she stated she was "satisfied" with her career.
"I'm absolutely satisfied with my collegiate basketball career," she said. "My freshman year, I was the go-to player, and my senior year, not so much. I'm satisfied I went out with a healthy attitude, practiced hard and gave my coach everything she asked for.
"So yes, I'm absolutely satisfied."
Going through everything she went through, Buck said what she learned during her years of middle school, high school and AAU basketball played a huge role in her dealing with the challenges during her collegiate basketball career.
"The dedication that was asked for during high school when I played for Coach (Dennis) Overstake, in middle school with Coach (Steve) Roads or when playing at the AAU level played a key role with me.
"We had a good team in high school – we went to the regionals – and that season taught me a lot about being motivated and obtaining goals."
Buck has a message for those who have suffered an injury playing any sport or for those who might suffer one in the future.
"It sounds cliché, but I would say keep your head up," Buck said. "I didn't understand that with the first injury, but keeping a healthy and positive attitude, plus doing what the doctors say, is important.
"The first time, I wasn't in with a 100-percent good attitude, but the second time, I had no choice. I listened more the second time and came out on top by staying positive, putting in the work and effort."
Looking back, Buck said this was the time of her life.
"I wouldn't change a thing," she said. "I have no regrets."
The challenges faced by Buck for the past four years have been tough both physically and mentally, as the '10 MHS graduate tore her right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and her meniscus in her right knee, 10 games into her freshman season at UMass Boston.
Her second injury suffered was what is called "an unhappy triad" as she tore her ACL, medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the meniscus of her left knee before the season even began during summer league play.
[[In-content Ad]]"The first time I was injured, it was during a game, and at first I thought I dislocated my knee," Buck said. "I didn't think much of it, but I ended up tearing the ACL and meniscus. I had surgery and did the rehab and recovered.
"Then my junior season … I suffered a tear of three parts in the knee – 'the unhappy triad,' they called it – and I ended up taking a medical redshirt."
That first injury challenged Buck more than she thought she could ever be challenged — on or off — the basketball court, as she said she "lived" for basketball her entire life, and it was a big part of her life ... more than she imagined.
"The first injury was intense because it was the first time I suffered an injury like that," Buck said. "After surgery, I couldn't walk on it and was on crutches for two months.
"I was in the training room for two to three hours per day and was doing anything I could to start feeling the strength again."
Buck spoke about the challenges following the first ACL injury.
"The first time was tough, but never once did I think I would quit basketball," she said. "I was having a great start to my freshman season, and to have it suddenly taken away was tough.
"When I returned my sophomore year, I didn't play up to my potential."
During that 10-game freshman campaign, Buck averaged 33.9 minutes per game, as she scored 10.3 points per game. That season, she was shooting 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Her sophomore season, she played in 26 games, averaging 2.6 ppg in 12.9 minutes per game.
Then it happened. In a college summer league game, the "unhappy triad" occurred, and an entire season was lost.
Instead of giving up, Buck, who had been playing basketball since she was a child, gave basketball one more chance and started another grueling rehab process.
This time, she said, her mindset and attitude was different. There was no self-doubt, because she knew what to do as she had already been through the process and had the mental part down pat.
"I had a better attitude the second time around," Buck told The Highland County Press. "I was OK with the fact I wasn't going to be the same player I was once before.
"I knew there was nothing I could do about it, and that helped me out in the long run. Sure, the first time I took it really hard because I love basketball so much, but it was all a huge learning experience."
BOSTON
Before all the injuries and life changes due to those injuries, Buck took that love of basketball she first gained playing in Greenfield and in various AAU programs and decided she wanted to continue her career, post-high school, in Boston, Mass. for the Division III Beacons.
"I first met Coach (Courtney) Mattingly when I was playing an AAU game when we were playing in a tournament in Washington D.C.," Buck said. "She eventually sent me a letter, and I didn't think much of it.
"I eventually went on a campus visit, and it was in the middle of the city, and I loved it. Coach is amazing, the assistant coaches were amazing and I loved the atmosphere … I couldn't say no."
THE FIRST RETURN
When looking back to her first game her sophomore year following her recovery from the first ACL tear, she had to get used to some basic aspects of basketball, one being contact and playing with no fear.
"I had to deal with the mental parts of basketball," Buck said. "I had to get used to getting hit, and it took a while to get past that. The first time I fell … I freaked out.
"My sophomore year, my game changed the most, and it took me a long time to get past that."
"WHATEVER HAPPENS … HAPPENS"
After rehabbing her entire junior year, Buck knew this was it entering her senior season for the Beacons. She had just missed over a season and a half of collegiate basketball due to her knees giving out on her.
In that time, she not only changed her style of play, as she gave up minutes to do what was best for the team, but she did have a new attitude when she was on the court when it pertained to her injuries … "whatever happens, happens," as she actually did leave everything she had out on the court her senior season.
"I just played my heart out and didn't worry about getting injured," Buck said.
During her senior year this past winter, Buck played in 24 games, averaging 3.9 ppg and shooting 32.2 percent from beyond the arc, good for seventh place overall in the Little East Conference.
"I've played basketball my entire life, and not being able to play the way I had always played was tough," Buck said. "Playing basketball, I just have a passion for it … it is unexplainable.
"Basketball for me is more than just a game. I love being with my teammates, where I've been able to make lifelong friendships with them from high school, AAU and college. One day, I'd like to get into coaching."
Speaking of her college teammates, Buck said they helped in her recovery.
"They've been supportive through it all," she said. "When I was injured, I just wanted to be a leader for them. They gave me support, and it made the rehab so much easier. I couldn't have done it without them."
Family was also important for Buck during all the rehab, surgeries and recoveries.
"My family were huge supporters," she said. "They flew to Boston for the surgeries and games. It was hard on them too because they loved watching me play and were my biggest supporters."
NO REGRETS
"Regret" isn't in the vocabulary of Buck (who will graduate with a degree in exercise and health science), as she said she had no regrets from her four years of collegiate basketball career, full of injuries and hard work. In fact, she stated she was "satisfied" with her career.
"I'm absolutely satisfied with my collegiate basketball career," she said. "My freshman year, I was the go-to player, and my senior year, not so much. I'm satisfied I went out with a healthy attitude, practiced hard and gave my coach everything she asked for.
"So yes, I'm absolutely satisfied."
Going through everything she went through, Buck said what she learned during her years of middle school, high school and AAU basketball played a huge role in her dealing with the challenges during her collegiate basketball career.
"The dedication that was asked for during high school when I played for Coach (Dennis) Overstake, in middle school with Coach (Steve) Roads or when playing at the AAU level played a key role with me.
"We had a good team in high school – we went to the regionals – and that season taught me a lot about being motivated and obtaining goals."
Buck has a message for those who have suffered an injury playing any sport or for those who might suffer one in the future.
"It sounds cliché, but I would say keep your head up," Buck said. "I didn't understand that with the first injury, but keeping a healthy and positive attitude, plus doing what the doctors say, is important.
"The first time, I wasn't in with a 100-percent good attitude, but the second time, I had no choice. I listened more the second time and came out on top by staying positive, putting in the work and effort."
Looking back, Buck said this was the time of her life.
"I wouldn't change a thing," she said. "I have no regrets."