[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

3/31/06

Injury forces Hoskins to rest

By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News

COLUMBUS | — Ohio State's Brandie Hoskins could always count on her legs to zip past defenders and navigate to the basket.

But in an NCAA tournament loss to Boston College last week, her body finally rebelled.

The junior guard from Dayton dropped to the court in a heap near the end of the 79-69 second-round loss and was shocked to discover that she hadn't first been fouled. "When I caught the ball, I felt something pop," Hoskins said. "I thought someone kicked me, but no one was around.

"I've never had so much pain in my life. When I couldn't get back up, that's when I knew I was really hurt."

The Chaminade-Julienne grad underwent surgery Monday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Once she sheds her crutches, she will begin an extensive rehab program.
OSU women's head trainer Chalisa Fonza said recovery times range from four months to two years.

"It depends on the person," Fonza said. "You really can't put a (precise) timetable on it."

But Hoskins has vowed to return within four months. "I'll be all right," she said. "My mom always tells me God doesn't put more on you than you can handle, and I can handle this. It hurts. I cry about it. But I'm strong, and I love basketball. And next year, I'll be a better player."

The injury was the culmination of a forgettable night for Hoskins and the top-seeded Buckeyes. The two-time all-Big Ten honoree scored 13 points on 6-of-15 shooting and had five turnovers, and the team had its 20-game winning streak snapped while finishing 29-3.

"It was tough (to lose), but it's over," Hoskins said. "They beat us. It wasn't our night. Every time we made a run, they knocked down shots."

Hoskins, known for being a tireless worker, hadn't taken a significant break from basketball since last season began, having played during the summer with a USA all-star team that won a gold medal overseas. She believes the physical stress of that experience may have caught up with her.

"I think this is just God's way of telling me I need to rest my body," Hoskins said. "It's an injury, but I'm glad it was at the end of the season and not my first game. It could be worse. I could be out the rest of my life.

"Next year, I plan on coming back and being one of the best point guards in the country, if not THE best. I'm using this as motivation."


Contact Doug Harris at (937) 225-2125.