Post by elon_phan on Feb 20, 2008 20:27:52 GMT -5
Elon’s Watson contributes despite pain, protective boot
By Adam Smith / Times-News
2008-02-20 00:23:00
ELON — After hobbling around campus today, Montell Watson’s gimpy path will arrive at Alumni Gym, where Elon University faces an important late-season men’s basketball game tonight in the Southern Conference.
Watson will remove the protective walking boot that encases his left foot and the lower portion of his left leg — the apparatus that hampers his gait everywhere but on the court — and then likely play a critical role for Elon from his starting point guard position.
“When the game is over, he goes and showers and puts his boot back on,” coach Ernie Nestor said. “The only time he is not in that fracture boot is when he’s in games or practices. It’s a difficult way to play college basketball, but that’s just how he’s going to have to go through the end of the season.”
Watson, a fifth-year senior whose career has been marred by seemingly chronic injuries, is hurting again.
Another stress fracture has flared up, a situation of suffering and distress similar to what forced him to miss all of last season while taking a medical redshirt.
By comparison, Elon guard Brett James said he developed a slight stress fracture after last season, one that felt horrible enough but still didn’t require him to strap into a boot.
“So I can’t imagine the pain he goes through on a daily basis,” James said of Watson. “I feel like any other injury is minor compared to his situation, playing with a big bump on his shin. It shows a lot of courage. To be honest with you, that’s what we expect of him.”
Watson started the season healthy and pumped in 18 points in the opener at Virginia Tech. He has gone on to contribute career highs of 9.9 points per game and 39 buckets from 3-point territory.
He also leads the Phoenix in assists (3.3 per game) and steals (1.6 per game). Yet perhaps more importantly, he’s the on-floor mouthpiece of the Elon coaches, constantly barking challenges and instructions to teammates.
“I’m just walking like Tom Brady right now,” he said, smiling wide.
The aching effects of Watson’s injury appeared to be taking their toll on his recent production. He managed a total of 24 points during a five-game stretch, but broke out last week with 16 points and seven assists against Appalachian State, followed by 14 points at Georgia Southern.
Watson ranks sixth in all-time assists (297) and fourth in career steals (153) at Elon.
“I’ve got a little bit of pain, but who doesn’t?” he said in his downplaying manner. “It’s nothing I can’t play through. I’m going to finish the season out. It ain’t going to hold me back.”
By Adam Smith / Times-News
2008-02-20 00:23:00
ELON — After hobbling around campus today, Montell Watson’s gimpy path will arrive at Alumni Gym, where Elon University faces an important late-season men’s basketball game tonight in the Southern Conference.
Watson will remove the protective walking boot that encases his left foot and the lower portion of his left leg — the apparatus that hampers his gait everywhere but on the court — and then likely play a critical role for Elon from his starting point guard position.
“When the game is over, he goes and showers and puts his boot back on,” coach Ernie Nestor said. “The only time he is not in that fracture boot is when he’s in games or practices. It’s a difficult way to play college basketball, but that’s just how he’s going to have to go through the end of the season.”
Watson, a fifth-year senior whose career has been marred by seemingly chronic injuries, is hurting again.
Another stress fracture has flared up, a situation of suffering and distress similar to what forced him to miss all of last season while taking a medical redshirt.
By comparison, Elon guard Brett James said he developed a slight stress fracture after last season, one that felt horrible enough but still didn’t require him to strap into a boot.
“So I can’t imagine the pain he goes through on a daily basis,” James said of Watson. “I feel like any other injury is minor compared to his situation, playing with a big bump on his shin. It shows a lot of courage. To be honest with you, that’s what we expect of him.”
Watson started the season healthy and pumped in 18 points in the opener at Virginia Tech. He has gone on to contribute career highs of 9.9 points per game and 39 buckets from 3-point territory.
He also leads the Phoenix in assists (3.3 per game) and steals (1.6 per game). Yet perhaps more importantly, he’s the on-floor mouthpiece of the Elon coaches, constantly barking challenges and instructions to teammates.
“I’m just walking like Tom Brady right now,” he said, smiling wide.
The aching effects of Watson’s injury appeared to be taking their toll on his recent production. He managed a total of 24 points during a five-game stretch, but broke out last week with 16 points and seven assists against Appalachian State, followed by 14 points at Georgia Southern.
Watson ranks sixth in all-time assists (297) and fourth in career steals (153) at Elon.
“I’ve got a little bit of pain, but who doesn’t?” he said in his downplaying manner. “It’s nothing I can’t play through. I’m going to finish the season out. It ain’t going to hold me back.”