After ACL injuries, Porter makes most of time on the court

Bri Porter knee is nothing pretty. After three ACL surgeries, it has scars running up and down reminding her of the months of rehab and sitting on the sidelines.

Porter found her way back to the court and into the starting lineup for the state-ranked Rock Bridge Bruins girls basketball team. The Bruins are trying to win their third straight state title.

The senior says after her first surgery, when she tore her ACL while playing, she rushed her rehab and that caused the second tear. The forward says she does not know how the third tear happened. But Porter added she is much more grateful for the time she has on the court, and the time she will have in college.

As she recovered, she also redefined her skill set. Porter used to rely on her athleticism to succeed. But as she works to build up her agility and strength, the senior focused on her shooting and ball skills to find a way to the hoop.

That shifting focus may help her at the next level, when she will suit up for the Mizzou women’s basketball team where her father, Michael, is an assistant.