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Day by day, Drury guard Raegan Halliday pushes the pain away and regains confidence in her skills after three years of knee surgeries and rehabilitation, as well as two week-long hospitalizations while battling a painful autoimmune disease.
“Playing is the pain reliever,” said the redshirt sophomore. “Some games I hurt a lot; some I don’t notice it (as adrenaline takes over).”
Halliday brings the maturity and leadership of a senior, yet “essentially is a 21-year-old freshman,” said Drury head coach Kaci Bailey. Halliday also brings strong ball-handling and defensive skills, plus superb long-range shooting, and has shown a propensity to step up in close games.
“I am willing to run and play hard,” Halliday said. “I love playing in transition, a fast-paced game.”
Averaging 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game, Halliday leads Drury by converting 12-of-24 of her three-point attempts.
Bailey calls her a “money player.” That certainly was the case in the home opener as Drury faced a 0-3 start.
Halliday totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the double-overtime win over Texas A&M International. She played 39 minutes, the most by far this season.
“She was huge for us,” said Bailey, whose team has since risen to 14-6 and 11-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Halliday stepped up again Jan. 17 with 12 points and three assists during a 83-80 victory at McKendree.
And, again, she had four assists, four rebounds and five points in just 11 minutes of action during a 77-75 win at Upper Iowa on Jan. 31.
Her desire and energy amaze teammates. “She is going to go for the ball, do the extra work,” said senior guard Rhi Gibbons.
Sometimes, Halliday just has to sit out as she works toward a total return.
“We are in this for the long haul,” Bailey said. “We need her. She is going to be an X-factor for us.”
At first, Halliday was worried her teammates wouldn’t respect her if she didn’t take part in every workout and practice. They have convinced her otherwise.
“They know what she’s made of,” Bailey said. “Everyone sees her abilities.”
Halliday has earned respect, Gibbons said. “She’s a team player all around. We all love her.”
Junior post player Sara Mendel agreed: “She is such an inspiration. She has so much talent and determination.”
It’s been three and a half years since Halliday headed to New Mexico State University with big dreams after four seasons of all-state basketball at Olathe South in Kansas. Those dreams were derailed when she tore the ACL in her left leg during summer workouts. She tore it again six months later while rehabbing and had a followup knee procedure two years ago.
She wants to work her way back to being an impact player every game, to be a model of hard work and overcoming adversity.
“I just want to do what’s best for the team,” Halliday said. “If my story can inspire someone, it was worth it.”
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury's Halliday shows tenacity, talent while recovering from injury
Continue reading...
“Playing is the pain reliever,” said the redshirt sophomore. “Some games I hurt a lot; some I don’t notice it (as adrenaline takes over).”
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Halliday brings the maturity and leadership of a senior, yet “essentially is a 21-year-old freshman,” said Drury head coach Kaci Bailey. Halliday also brings strong ball-handling and defensive skills, plus superb long-range shooting, and has shown a propensity to step up in close games.
“I am willing to run and play hard,” Halliday said. “I love playing in transition, a fast-paced game.”
Averaging 5.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game, Halliday leads Drury by converting 12-of-24 of her three-point attempts.
Bailey calls her a “money player.” That certainly was the case in the home opener as Drury faced a 0-3 start.
Halliday totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the double-overtime win over Texas A&M International. She played 39 minutes, the most by far this season.
“She was huge for us,” said Bailey, whose team has since risen to 14-6 and 11-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Halliday stepped up again Jan. 17 with 12 points and three assists during a 83-80 victory at McKendree.
And, again, she had four assists, four rebounds and five points in just 11 minutes of action during a 77-75 win at Upper Iowa on Jan. 31.
Her desire and energy amaze teammates. “She is going to go for the ball, do the extra work,” said senior guard Rhi Gibbons.
Sometimes, Halliday just has to sit out as she works toward a total return.
“We are in this for the long haul,” Bailey said. “We need her. She is going to be an X-factor for us.”
At first, Halliday was worried her teammates wouldn’t respect her if she didn’t take part in every workout and practice. They have convinced her otherwise.
“They know what she’s made of,” Bailey said. “Everyone sees her abilities.”
Halliday has earned respect, Gibbons said. “She’s a team player all around. We all love her.”
Junior post player Sara Mendel agreed: “She is such an inspiration. She has so much talent and determination.”
It’s been three and a half years since Halliday headed to New Mexico State University with big dreams after four seasons of all-state basketball at Olathe South in Kansas. Those dreams were derailed when she tore the ACL in her left leg during summer workouts. She tore it again six months later while rehabbing and had a followup knee procedure two years ago.
She wants to work her way back to being an impact player every game, to be a model of hard work and overcoming adversity.
“I just want to do what’s best for the team,” Halliday said. “If my story can inspire someone, it was worth it.”
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury's Halliday shows tenacity, talent while recovering from injury
Continue reading...
