Unbreakable
Loyalty

Kelly Larimore hasn't made a basket all season, but her contributions to the Chiefs' basketball team are immeasurable

BY ED WRIGHT
Jan. 18, 2010, 12:15 p.m.

  Situated about five feet to Kelly Larimore's left early Monday morning in the Canton High School gymnasium was a rack full of perfectly inflated, pumpkin-colored basketballs, the kind Larimore used to dribble and shoot with a high level of fluency during her first three seasons with the Chiefs' ultra-successful program.

  In a perfect world, Larimore would have popped out of the folding chair she rested in, lifted one of the balls out of the cage and joined her nine teammates -- her non-blood sisters, really -- in the high-spirited drills they were going through in preparation for the remainder of what has been a remarkable season (8-1, ranked No. 3 in all of Division 1).

  But situated a few inches from Larimore's right arm were the obstacles that prevented Larimore from approaching the basketballs: a pair of stainless steel crutches, reminders that life tends to throw some pretty wicked full-court presses our way when we least expect it and, in Larimore's case, when she least deserved it.

  In November, Larimore was handed a somber diagnosis by her doctor: the damaged ACL and meniscus tendons in her right knee needed to be operated on soon or she would risk complete tears, which could result in her never playing competitive sports again and the early onset of arthritis.

  On Dec. 12, she underwent successful surgery, but the procedure, which carries a six-month rehabilitation period, wiped out the standout two-sport athlete's senior season of sports.

  "The toughest part about this whole thing is that I won't be able to play with the team this year," Larimore said Monday morning, releasing a deep sigh. "It's such a good team and we're all such good friends. It's tough.

  "This team is amazing, both the players and the coaches. They're so much fun. It's an awesome group. There's never any drama."

  Instead of repeatedly asking, "Why me?", Larimore looked at the bright side.

  "The doctors said I originally injured my knee in seventh grade, so I'm thankful that I was able to play with it as long as I did," she said, smiling.

  Here is where Larimore's story becomes uplifting.

  With the option of 1.) cutting ties with the team due to her physical limitations; or 2.) attending practices, games and other team-related functions just like she would if her knee was 100 percent healthy, she chose the latter option -- much to the joy of her teammates and coaches.

  Larimore, crutches in tow, attends nearly every Canton girls basketball function -- including Monday's early-morning session when no one would have blamed her if she would have unplugged her alarm clock.

  "Her being here like she always is shows her dedication," said Canton junior forward CarolAnn Sexauer. "It shows she cares about all of our players and it shows how close we are as a team."

  "Kelly is just as much a part of this group as anyone else on the team," said Canton coach Brian Samulski. "She helps lead. She helps get the girls confident before the games. Her role is just as big as anybody's.

  "She's here whenever she can be here, which says a lot about what kind of person she is."

  One of Larimore's primary roles is as a motivator.

  "When we get in a huddle before our games, I try to give a little quick remark about the team we're playing," Larimore said, smiling. "Against the Wildcats, I said, 'We've got to cage these 'Cats!' -- anything to make them laugh a little bit."

  Larimore has received plenty of encouragement from people who have endured similar hardships.

  "For instance Jordan Kielty, the Canton volleyball player who tore her ACL last year, kept telling me, 'It's going to get better, it's going to get better.' That helped because when it first happened, it was very hard, it was horrible.

  "Other people who have gone through this have told me what to expect, which I really appreciate."

  While Larimore's short-term athletic future has been negatively affected by her injury, the senior's long-term future is glowing. She carries a 4.06 grade-point average and plans to study pre-med at the University of Michigan.

  And while at U of M, she will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in the intramural basketball and soccer leagues.

  "If I had to give some advice to someone who is going through what I'm going through," she said, "I'd tell them it may look bleak in the beginning, but it will get better. You just have to tough it out and realize everything happens for a reason."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1809 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.