CNYCentral Athlete: Cassley Jackowski
Lafayette's Cassley Jackowski wasn't even supposed to be able to play basketball this season, but she's not only celebrating her teams best start in history, but she's this week's CNYCentral Athlete. Jackowski suffered a torn ACL, an injury that doctors said would keep her sidelined for 6 months. Jackowski wasn't satisfied with that, and decisded to put in countless hours of rehab to make it back on the court for this season.
"I didn't even think I'd be on the court right now with what the doctors were telling me," admits Jackowski, "but I worked hard and I had a lot of support from my friends and my family."
Lafayette has won a team record 9 wins so far, and has qualified for the Section III playoffs for the second straight season, and for only the second time in program history. Head Coach Alena Anthony says the team has been motivated by Cassley's work ethic and character.
"Off the court she helps with fund raising for Coaches vs. Cancer," says Anthony, "on the court she's a great player, she contributes on offense, she creates for her teammates and she's been essential in helping to bring this team to new heights."
"We can always count on her if the rest of us are off," admits teammate Elise Camilleri, "she's always got that extra step to push us to win."
And there'll now be extra incentive to win as the Section III playoff brackets will be released this Sunday.
"We're just gonna keep working hard, and hopefully come out with a couple more wins this season," says Jackowski, "and go pretty hard in sectionals we're hoping and just build the program for next year."
