Maya McFadden Photo
Gomez Stafford takes it to the net to help her team catch up.
Just a few months ago Wilbur Cross point guard Bella Gomez Stafford partially tore her quad. That wasn’t noticeable as she weaved through her opponents and sank a three-pointer in the first five minutes.
That was the scene during Thursday night’s Wilbur Cross’ varsity girls basketball game as Cross faced Jonathan Law High School.
Cross started strong during the first half of Thursday’s game night, going into the third quarter just one point down, 26 – 25.
However, as Cross coach Deborah McClease described it, “Turnovers are our Achilles.” The team struggled during the second half, which ultimately resulted in its 13th loss of the season out of 14 games.
The final score Thursday was 60 – 41, with the Lawmen taking the win.
Freshman forward Harmoni Thomas scored the majority of Cross’ points Thursday with help from center Jackie Fulton, who put up several rebounds, and point guards Gomez Stafford and Sirraya Pratt, who sunk a few three pointers and free throws throughout the night.
Gomez Stafford, a Cross junior, began Thursday’s game slightly nervous due to it being her third game back since she had to sit out for her injury to her right leg.
The injury initially occurred this fall while Gomez Stafford was running cross country for Cross; she took a rough fall that partially tore her quad. Gomez Stafford runs indoor and outdoor track, cross country, and plays basketball.
Gomez Stafford came back to basketball this winter partially healed, then re-tore her quad at the start of the season. She has since been benched and doing physical therapy and was cleared to play last week.
After taking a break from basketball her freshman year, Gomez Stafford returned to the court her sophomore year and has since been named a team captain.
In the past week another Cross player was injured with a concussion, adding to the team already having two players benched for injuries that occurred mid-season.
McClease pointed out that during the first half Thursday, the team’s energy was higher. “When we come back out after halftime, we’re learning not to be so laid back. I tell them, ‘There’s no room to take any time off it’s a constant grind,’ ” she said.
During the second half Gomez Stafford took accountability for some of the team’s turnovers: “We knew what to do, but we got sloppy” about the second half she said.
The turnovers throughout the game threw Gomez Stafford and her teammates slightly off track mentally.
“I couldn’t go my full potential because I was in my head,” Gomez Stafford said. “It’s really hard when you’re getting critiques from your coach and then people talking a lot of stuff on the court. It gets in your mind. I feel like you have to have patience and think and hear what your coach is saying and act on it.”
Before every game Gomez Stafford, who has played basketball since pre-school, said she watches playbacks of her opponents to learn how they play before she gets on the court.
She learned to do this from her father, who coached her in basketball until high school.
During the fourth quarter Gomez Stafford took an elbow to the lip. She didn’t let the swelling stop her, as she pushed on and sank two free throws in the final minute, helping her team to catch up.
“After she swung, it was just like a moment where I had to take a step back and have patience,” she said.
Gomez Stafford calmed herself down on the court without missing a beat. She said she will take such life lessons like learning patience and self control with her on and off the court.
The Lady Governors have four more games this season. Their next is a home game Monday facing off against Foran High School.
Bella Gomez Stafford.
Keep up the good work and the life lessons, and may the team have success at their next game!