The Lady Vols triumphed - by one point, to reach the final round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament which will be played Tuesday night at 7:30pm (ESPN coverage) against Stanford, who managed to take down Connecticut. (My sympathies to Tausign, who is a Connecticut fan. I know how you feel after Rutgers lost.)
Candace Parker, clearly a braver soul than I, played with her separated left shoulder, wearing a brace. She grimaced at times, was knocked to the "deck" (i.e. floor for those who don't watch a lot) a few times and during the game the broadcasters said she had a right shoulder injury prior to this which she was having treated all season. Jenny Moshak, Tennessee's assistant athletic director for sports medicine, a team trainer for the past 19 years, pictured above, sat perched on the bench watching Parker the entire time she was in the game. Things were a tad tense, but Parker's shoulder didn't pop out.
Sad to say, mine almost did when I tried to transfer out of bed this morning. And trying to use my other shoulder has reactivated that injury as well so both shoulders are once again in pain. It made me wonder how on earth Parker could shoot overhead baskets without screaming for mercy. However, as Coach Summitt , who also separated her shoulder protecting her dog from a raccoon (I kid you not), said, Candace Parker is young and strong. I would add that injuries always seem to hurt less in the moments of a sports competition and Parker looked pain free as she headed into the locker room after the victory.
Hmmm. I think I'm going to hire her trainer. And, for once, I think it's right that Jenny Moshak, who has worked for 19 years behind the scenes, gets her picture put up. I can't even imagine all the post-season injuries she's treated over the years, unsung. After Tuesday, maybe, just maybe, she can head over here....
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