Fairmont grad OK after injury scare
Waterman says she appreciates support following hard fall.
Information from The Columbus Dispatch was used in this report. Contact this reporter at 937225-2396 or email Marcus. Hartman@coxinc.com.
Makayla Waterman COLUMBUS — became the center of attention Saturday at Wisconsin, but not for any reason the Ohio State women’s basketball forward would have wanted.
The former Fairmont High School star was down for several minutes before being carted off the floor and taken to the emergency room after a hard fall during the Buckeyes’ 68-55 win.
“It was definitely scary because with something like your neck you never want to risk anything, so I think I was just more nervous,” she said Tuesday before the Buckeyes took the practice floor. “I was definitely in pain, but I was also nervous because the squad was coming and getting a stretcher. It hurt, but it was just more nerve-wracking with all the people surrounding me.”
The trip to the ER turned out to be precautionary. A doctor checked her out and determined Waterman had suffered no structural damage. She did not have a concussion, either.
Three days later, she said she was feeling a lot better, though she was still a little stiff and not quite certain when she will be ready to play again for the Buckeyes, who are tied for second place in the Big Ten standings.
Ohio State and Nebraska are both 1½ games behind Maryland with five conference games to play.
Not surprisingly, Waterman’s high-profile injury brought well wishes from many people, something she appreciated very much.
“Just thanks for the thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to my family and to me personally. I appreciate all the support. It’s good to know people have my back.”
Waterman was most concerned about her parents, who weren’t at the game. The Watermans relied on updates from Waterman’s cousin, who lives in Minneapolis and was in Madison for the game. Her parents weren’t the only ones checking in, however.
Athletic trainer Chalisa Fonza held onto Waterman’s phone while doctors examined her. Text messages accumulated quickly.
“At first I didn’t have service and I turned my wifi on and I literally got like 107 or (108) messages and all these tweets and I’m still trying to answer people now,” Waterman said. “I wasn’t really concerned about answering them (immediately) because I was just more happy that I wasn’t hurt.”
In the immediate aftermath of Waterman hitting the floor, both her teammates and coaches were worried but hoped for the best.
Redshirt senior forward Stephanie Mavunga recalled the quiet of the moment. She said she immediately started praying before joining her teammates.
“Makayla’s such a great person and a great teammate and she was going hard out there for us and so I said, ‘It’s time for us to go hard out there for her as well,’ ” Mavunga said. “I came back in the huddle, said a prayer in front of the team and a lot of tears, everybody started crying and then (we turned that emotion) it into positive energy and competing.”
Waterman has averaged 3.2 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21 games off the bench this season. The Buckeyes return to action tonight at home against Rutgers.