The University of Regina Cougars will be without Nicole Clarke for the remainder of the season after the fifth-year guard suffered a setback in her surgically repaired left foot.
“That week, it started to bother me more,” Clarke said in reference to a February 7-8 series against the University of Calgary Dinos. “I know the feeling because I’ve done it so many times. But we needed those games.”
Clarke poured in 32 points during the two-game weekend sweep of Calgary, but those contests will be the final games in Clarke’s collegiate career. Doctors reassessed her foot after she informed them of the pain, and they discovered that she had re-fractured a bone in her left foot.
The injury isn’t something new to Clarke, as she’s suffered the same injury four times throughout her career.
“It’s very disappointing, especially at this point of my career,” said Clarke, who missed the final two regular season games last weekend. “I had bigger plans (in basketball) after this and, split with how well we were doing this season, to end like this and at this point is a crappy hand.”
Clarke led the team in scoring before being sidelined with the injury, averaging 17.6 points per game.
Too Much Stress
Clarke had dreams of playing professional basketball after her collegiate career ended, but it appears those hopes will have to be put on hold for the time being.
“Discussing it with my surgeon, we’ve decided (the foot) just can’t handle the stress,” Clarke said. “It can’t make it through one full (Canada West) season and professional ball would be a whole higher level. I would assume the intensity (in the pro ranks) would be much higher, so I just don’t see it working out.”
Clarke visited her surgeon following the games against Calgary to undergo a CT scan on her ailing foot. The news she received was less than optimistic.
“The only option she gave me was to take out the pin (which previously was inserted into the bone), let it heal and then try again,” Clarke said. “But she advised against that because of my history with fractures.”
Despite the diagnosis, Clarke is trying to look at the positives in life. She’ll finish up her studies at the university this year, and she expressed interest in exploring a career in medicine.
“Injuries are a part of the game and it’s always a risk when we’re playing at such a high level,” said Clarke. “Things happen for a reason and I have to find the positives in this situation.”
Dr. Silverman comments
Although I don’t have access to the scans, I believe Clarke is likely dealing with a stress fracture of the navicular or metatarsal.
I hate to hear her throw in the towel, and I think she should seek a second opinion before calling it quits on a professional career. I know it’s been a recurrent problem for her, but one doctor’s opinion should not be enough for her to give up on her dreams. Get a second opinion, Nicole, and give professional basketball another chance down the road. You’d be amazed to see the recoveries some patient’s make from far worse injuries. If they can do it, so can you. Best of luck.
Related source: Leader Post