On Monday December 8, Junior Lauren Iredale received news that her basketball season on the court was over. Anticipation built up in her stomach throughout the day as Lauren waited for the results of her MRI.

Lauren was told her ACL is completely torn and there are two tears in her meniscus. Lauren now will be unable to play for 9-12 months and will undergo surgery in January.

“What I miss the most is being able to be on the court with my teammates” Lauren said after three games of sitting on the sidelines.

Even though Lauren is not out on the court, she continues to cheer the loudest for her teammates. During the rest of the season Lauren says she wants to help her team by “seeing the little stuff that the coaches don’t and being as supportive as I can.” Lauren said she will also continue to pump up the team in the locker room before the game with her “fergalicious dance moves.”

On the Lady Grizzlies’ Monday night game against Arlington, the team made sure Lauren knew she was still on the court with them. On the back of each player’s right calf, was a heart with the number 10 inside it.10 because it is Lauren’s number and on their right calves because it is Lauren’s right knee that is injured.

In the locker room when the team began drawing the hearts, tears filled Lauren’s eyes. “It was hard for me because I felt less a part of the team because I could not be out on the court with my team but when they put my number on their legs I felt even closer to them and more a part of the team. We really are a family,” she said.

Lauren is being missed greatly out the court by her team. “Lauren’s passion for basketball has always inspired me, and during practice we were partners for various drills and I would often complain to her about basketball. But now that she is injured, I realized how blessed I am to be on the court when she can’t. I am going to play for her this season,” junior Sierra Nash said.

The team will continue to represent Lauren’s number throughout the season, keeping her on the court with them, while she continues to support her family from the bench.