Flash back to November 28th. It was the first game of the girls basktball season. Two-time All-State senior guard Tara Masten was having a typical start to Parkview’s game at Carl Junction. “I was feeling really good, hit a step-back three-pointer,” said Tara. “I was so hyped. Playing great defense. I get a steal, go down the court.”
Tara drove for a layup. “I felt a pop,” Tara said. “It’s probably the worst pain I ever felt. I’m literally living my worst fear as an athlete right now.”
Tara tore her ACL and meniscus. The Vikings’ all-time steals leader with more than 1,100 points on her resume saw her high school career end less than eight minutes into her senior year. “Yes, I was on my way to be that three-time all-state player,” Tara said. “I was hoping to beat some records in the book here at Parkview.”
Her younger sister Brooklynn is graduating a year early, which makes them classmates. And they were looking forward to one more year together. “I told her that I loved her and that I’m going to be there for her every step of the way,” said Brooklynn, a senior on the team.
As Tara has dealt with the stages of grief, she’s found a way to make the most of her forced time off. “When I was younger I really wanted to be a basketball coach,” Tara said.
And now she’s doing her best to help her replacement. Senior starting shooting guard Austin Hall has slid over to try and fill Tara’s shoes as best she can. “On the bench during games, we can definitely hear her yell plenty loud,” said Austin, with a laugh.
“You can’t control an injury,” added Keri Nichols, Parkview’s head coach. “But you can control how you react to it. And I think Tara’s been a prime example of controlling what you can control and using it to her advantage.”
Tara is also taking advantage of her new perspective on the game she loves. “Oh my gosh, it has made me realize that this isn’t everything but it means a lot to me,” she said.
It’s something that will come in handy while she’s helping her current team and preparing for her next.
