Union’s Vanessa Coleman
By Bryce McKinnis
Union High School senior basketball player Vanessa Coleman suffered an ACL tear last October.
“We were running a drill, and I caught the ball off of a pass and started driving into the paint,” Coleman recalls. “Then, I stopped and planted on my right leg, and my knee buckled. I was out for seven-and-a-half months as I came back six-and-a-half months after surgery thanks to our great Union athletic training staff!”
The road to recovery was long and stretched Coleman’s patience.
“My ACL injury taught me the importance of resilience and listening to my body during the recovery process,” Coleman said. “I know injuries can be tough, but it taught me valuable lessons that help me grow stronger both physically and mentally. I persevered through my ACL injury by staying positive, being patient and putting in the hard work during my recovery. I was dedicated to doing my physical therapy and pushing through the pain focusing on my goal.”
That goal was a big senior year. In just days, Coleman will continue the journey she started at nine years old.
“ ”“I was not introduced to basketball by any specific person. I had played many sports before, but I started playing Union basketball intramurals in fourth grade, and ever since then, I fell in love with the game and competing,” Coleman said. “I fell in love with basketball because it’s more than just a game. It’s a way to push myself and compete with others. The excitement of playing, working as a team, pushing through adversity with my teammates and getting better each time I play are what I love most.”
Union head coach Joshua Berry raves about Coleman’s shooting, basketball IQ and skill. At 5-foot-10, the senior guard-forward is a double-double waiting to happen.
“I learned to see the game a different way by being able to play multiple positions when I was younger. I was not as tall as I am today, so I was able to understand the game from all aspects,” Coleman said. “I have also played for coaches and different perspectives and also practiced and trained on situational awareness, which has allowed me to grow my basketball IQ.”
This year, Coleman plans to push herself and her teammates to their greatest potential. Her plans after high school include playing basketball at the collegiate level and competing for a championship. while earning a business degree.
“People should expect to see an improved team from last year,” Coleman said. “We have been working hard each and every day pushing ourselves toward our goal, and with our senior leadership and new coach, we should make it to state as we have a championship mindset.”
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