‘She refuses to quit’: Molly Andrew battles through injuries to lead West Lafayette women’s basketball

WEST LAFAYETTE – A KT pink ribbon wrapped into a “U” shape forms around West Lafayette senior Molly Andrew’s left knee.

Playing injured and dealing with pain has become part of Andrew’s routine throughout his journey as an athlete.

Andrew tore his ACL during the summer before his sophomore season of AAU basketball in Indianapolis. Now, she must wear a specialized brace and sleeve on her right shoulder to protect a torn labrum she injured during her freshman year.

“This year it’s not exactly how I like it, but I’m happy to still be able to play,” Andrew said. “It’s a privilege to play basketball. I hate being on the bench and watching what I love to do.”

Losing her sophomore year was especially hard for Andrew, who remembers the days after her surgery and then the months of physical therapy she underwent in 2022 and 2023.

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“Right after I had surgery, I lost 20 pounds,” Andrew said. “My legs were like chicken legs. I had to do little things and I felt like it was useless. Those little things I did at first didn’t feel like they were helping me and were going to get me back soon enough. But little did I know that these little things were so important.

Andrew scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 56-30 loss to Benton Central at home Thursday night.

The right shoulder, she says, cannot lift without pain.

But Andrew is determined to play every minute and every game possible before his season ends.

She is responsible for helping West Lafayette throughout its 1-7 start and providing mentorship to the younger members of its roster. Players like 6-foot-3 freshman Amaya St. Hilaire have the potential to succeed but need time to develop.

Hilaire scored seven points and blocked six shots.

“I try to do my best to get everyone back, but there are tough days when they come to get me,” Andrew said.

First-year head coach Minshen Ho has coached Andrew at multiple levels since 7th grade, both in basketball, volleyball and track and field.

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Now he gets to see the final chapter of his high school career unfold.

“Molly has a great heart and a great attitude that wants to win and compete,” Ho said. “She won’t let injuries, whether it’s knee surgery or a torn labrum, go to waste. get in her way. And you see it. She refuses to quit. She’s someone our girls look up to, and that’s something I look up to.”

Lafayette area scores women’s basketball:

• Rossville 34, North White 30

• Benton Central 56, West Lafayette 30

• Carroll 49, West 46

• Central Catholic 67, Fontaine Centrale 32

• West Central 67, Oregon Davis 22

• Christian Alliance 49 years, Southmont 47 years

• Rensselaer 74, Twin Lakes 39

• Rossville 34, North White 30

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected]on Twitter at EthanA Hanson and Instagram on ethan_a_hanson.

This article originally appeared in the Lafayette Journal & Courier: West Lafayette senior Molly Andrew battles torn ACL, torn labrum