When Abby Russell tore her ACL on May 2, it appeared she would miss her junior season.
That isn’t the case.
After months of rehab Russell was released on Jan. 11 and is now set to make her season debut this evening at Mingo Central. She’ll be on a minutes restriction over the final month of the season as she works her way into game shape while protecting her knee.
Russell, a junior, earned first-team all-state honors last May after helping East to its second state championship in program history. She averaged 10.9 points and 4.6 steals per game and earned all-tournament honors for her performance in the team’s three state tournament games, averaging 11.6 points per game during that span.
The return provides a boost for the defending state champions, who enter the week 6-2, ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. Russell’s return comes at a key juncture as the Lady Warriors have an important week ahead. They’ll travel to regional foe Mingo Central on Tuesday before hosting sectional foe Summers County and Class AAA PikeView on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
