The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
England still sidelined, but ‘grateful’ for opportunity with Florida State
Tiana England didn’t envision her move to Florida State playing out like this.
Nine months after transferring from St. John’s, England is still waiting to play her first game with the Seminoles because of an unspecified medical issue.
“I didn’t know about it at St. John’s,” said England, a Stamford native. “When I arrived here and spoke with the doctors, we felt it was best to be checked out and see what was going on, and hopefully I’ll be back on the court within the next month.
“We definitely didn’t think it would take this long.”
If she’s not able to return, England should have the opportunity to retain her final year of eligibility thanks to a rule the NCAA recently put in place.
England has been in this position before, but under much different circumstances. She sat out her entire freshman season at St. John’s after tearing her ACL.
“It does (stink) not being able to play,” England said. “But me sitting out, I’m taking it as just grateful to be here. Honestly, it’s good to sit back and see my teammates work hard and receive the fruits of their labor.”
The 5-foot-7 England started three years with the Red Storm, establishing herself as one of the best facilitating point guards in the country. Her 509 career assists rank fifth among active Division I players.
“Coming here and hoping to make an impact right away, and then being told you can’t play yet, it’s been tough,” England said, “but as one of the oldest on the team … I felt like I needed to be more of a leader. I have a role now where I have to be a vocal leader. I can’t really show by example.”
For England, it’s just another obstacle to be hurdled in this unconventional season. Like many other teams around the country, Florida State has struggled to find any semblance of rhythm. The Seminoles have already had six games either canceled or postponed. That includes contests against Duke and Virginia, ACC schools that decided to end their season early over COVD-related concerns.
The Seminoles are 5-3, but currently have only eight available players due to injuries and an opt out. On top of that, Brooke Wyckoff, the former Connecticut Sun guard, is coaching the team on an interim basis as Sue Semrau remains on a leave of absence to care for her mother, who is recovering from ovarian cancer.
“It’s been tough because we have practice every single day. And then we come to practice and find out there’s no game tomorrow,” England said. “We’re really just in the gym practicing, and we don’t even know if we’ll have a game. It’s just really uncertain as to our schedule, but honestly the girls are taking it really well.”
Through her own personal tragedy, England’s learned to be grateful. In April, she lost her grandfather to COVID.
“It opened my eyes to be grateful to be able to even wake up to come to the basketball court,” she said. “Even though I’m not playing, I’m grateful I’m able to be there. That’s how I’ve looked at coming to Florida State. I’m alive, I’m well, and even though I’m not playing, my teammates are doing great.
“It’s been rough, but it’s kind of made me more aware of what’s going on with COVID and making sure we’re all staying safe.”
ANOTHER HONOR FOR BUECKERS
UConn’s Paige Bueckers was named Big East Freshman of the Week on Monday for the fifth time this season. Bueckers collected 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals against Butler last Tuesday, and two nights later had nine points against No. 25 Tennessee, including a game-sealing 3-pointer in the final minute. She missed Saturday’s win over Georgetown with a sprained right ankle, but is expected to return this week.
Additionally, junior guard Christyn Williams was named to the Big East’s weekly honor roll.