Thoren Knight's promising WNBA career was derailed by a devastating ACL injury in the final game of her college senior year championships.
Now 26, Thoren embraces a new role as the girls' Varsity basketball coach at Eastwood High School, which is kn...
It's scrimmage day, and I inform the girls of their positions and who's starting today. Sofia has been ignoring me, not even looking at me. I suppose it's for the best, honestly. Even though I can't get her out of my head, especially that night or seeing her tear up when I told her it couldn't happen again. I literally don't know how it even happened. I admit there's this pull between us, and after that night, it opened my eyes.
I'm still in my casual clothes; there's no point in changing into my workout gear. I'm just now changing my shirt when there's a knock at my door. I pull my shirt over and tuck it in. "Come in," I shout. Vesper walks in. "You ready, Coach? We got the girls stretched and ready," she says. "Yeah, I'll be there in a second," I reply.
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I reached for my Advil since my knee had been acting up again. Fucking arthritis is a bitch. I took a swig of water and swallowed the pills, then looked at myself in the mirror and let out a breath. Sometimes I didn't even recognize myself anymore. Couldn't make it to the WNBA because of my damn knee, got bored playing overseas, and now I messed around with a 19-year-old. Get your shit together, Thor, I mumbled to myself.
I looked over my outfit and ran my hands through my hair. Grabbing my whistle and clipboard, I walked out of my office, ready to face whatever came next.
I walked out to the court, telling myself to avoid looking for her. As soon as I made it onto the court, all chatter stopped.
"Huddle up, ladies," I said, walking to the middle of the court. "Here's the plan for today, so listen up carefully. Please do not make me repeat myself more than twice."
"We're going to go over the six plays for tonight's scrimmage. Now is the time to ask any questions. If you don't understand something about the play, please ask one of us."
"Do not go full 100%. I want no injuries before the scrimmage. Just because it's a scrimmage, I still expect everyone to play their ass off. Understand?" I asked them.
"Yes, Coach," they all responded.
"After practice, you have one hour to get food or whatever you need to do. Then be back here. If you're late, you will not start or play until the second half. Got it?" I asked, looking at them intently.
"Yes, Coach," they all said in unison.
"Ok, listen up. These are the starters tonight:
Sofia - Point Guard
Ava - Shooting Guard
Harper - Center
Zoe - Small Forward
Chloe - Power Forward"
I looked around and saw smiles on some faces and eye rolls on others. "Alright, the five starters will start practice off." I blew the whistle. "Let's move!" I shouted.
