Nobody could deny Courtney Shead's ear-to-ear grin after NSU's 51-45 win over Southeastern Louisiana in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament here at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas on Wednesday.
You see, Courtney, playing her final games as a Lady Demon, injured her knee in the first half at Stephen F. Austin back on February 11. She's been sidelined ever since.
But on Wednesday, she made her return to the court, and it was a memorable one.
Expected to play around 20 minutes, Shead led all players with 33 minutes played, pulled down eight rebounds and scored four points. Her presence under the goal, without a doubt, was a factor in SLU's poor shooting.
“It was great being back out there,” said Shead with a huge smile and sitting behind her nameplate in the postgame press conference. “All this time, I’ve been sitting there trying to encourage my teammates. But today I was actually able to be out there and do my role. It was just a really good feeling.”
“It’s just the presence that Courtney brings,” said junior guard Anna Cate Williams. “It’s always great to have a 6-footer or taller in there to help rebound or block out. Anything she does benefits us. I told her that all she had to do was dress out and that would boost our confidence even more.”
With Shead in the lineup this season, NSU has racked up a 15-7 record. Without her, the Lady Demons are only 3-5.
One thing is for sure, there are more smiles around the Lady Demons today, and it's Courtney's that's gleaming the way.
Matthew Bonnette
Associate SID
You see, Courtney, playing her final games as a Lady Demon, injured her knee in the first half at Stephen F. Austin back on February 11. She's been sidelined ever since.
But on Wednesday, she made her return to the court, and it was a memorable one.
Expected to play around 20 minutes, Shead led all players with 33 minutes played, pulled down eight rebounds and scored four points. Her presence under the goal, without a doubt, was a factor in SLU's poor shooting.
“It was great being back out there,” said Shead with a huge smile and sitting behind her nameplate in the postgame press conference. “All this time, I’ve been sitting there trying to encourage my teammates. But today I was actually able to be out there and do my role. It was just a really good feeling.”
“It’s just the presence that Courtney brings,” said junior guard Anna Cate Williams. “It’s always great to have a 6-footer or taller in there to help rebound or block out. Anything she does benefits us. I told her that all she had to do was dress out and that would boost our confidence even more.”
With Shead in the lineup this season, NSU has racked up a 15-7 record. Without her, the Lady Demons are only 3-5.
One thing is for sure, there are more smiles around the Lady Demons today, and it's Courtney's that's gleaming the way.
Matthew Bonnette
Associate SID
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