Feb. 3, 2004
By The Trentonian's Meghan Belz
In the world of esoteric sports jargon, the phrase "torn ACL" would most assuredly be met with several grimaces along with a chorus of sighs and moans. How could it not? The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is what holds the knee in place, giving much-needed support to the athletes who run, jump, drive and change it up on the court as well as virtually every other sporting venue.
When Mykeema Ford, one of the greatest basketball players ever to pass through Tornado Alley, tore the ACL in her left knee last February, many people were concerned over whether or not one of Trenton's finest former athletes would be able to rebound and make that transition to collegiate ball.
Fortunately, the injury, which occurred during Ford's post-graduate year at Cheshire Academy, located in Connecticut, has done anything but sideline this comeback kid. Now a freshman at the Stony Brook University, Ford has taken her game to the next level and is beginning to make a name for herself in New York just as she did here in Trenton.
Looking back, during her time at Trenton Central High School, Ford asserted herself as one of the premier players on Reggie Murray's perennial powerhouse squad. A four-year letter winner for the Tornadoes, Ford was a two-time all-state selection while earning Trenton's Athlete of the Year award as a senior in 2002. As the all-time leading scorer for both Mercer County and TCHS with over 1,800 career points to her credit, Ford also had her jersey retired by the Tornadoes as proof of the impact that she has had on the school's program and the community at large.
"The transition from high school to college ball has been very hard," said the humble rookie. "In high school, it was a lot easier to bring the ball up the court. In high school, I could relax. Now, I can't let up at all. I have to work hard at both ends of the court.
"Luckily, I was able to come back quickly after having surgery on my knee last March. Right now, I'm still having a little trouble moving side to side on defense and I can't get up as high on my left leg for layups but it's coming back. It's starting to flow again. The old Mykeema is coming back."
Currently the leading scorer for the Seawolves, it seems as though perhaps a new Mykeema is taking shape as Ford continues to improve and walks onto the court game after game with a greater command of her physical ability and an increasing drive for the game which has been such a shaping part of her life.
"I've always wanted to play in college," said Ford. "And now I'm here. I get out there on the court and I see the fans and the lights and I see how everyone is so fired up. It's great. Now, because I always have a smile on my face, my coaches and my teammates call me Sunshine."
So far this season, the 5'8 guard has logged some serious time on the court, appearing in all 17 contests for Stony Brook with seven starts. Her 212 total points and 12.5 points-per-game average have earned her the top scoring spot among the Seawolves and her impressive individual stats also place her in high standings in the league. Currently ranked 10th offensively in the America East conference, Ford also garnered individual recognition as the Wilson Rookie of the week at the beginning of January.
Continuing to turn heads, Ford set a school record last week when she drained seven three-pointers for Stony Brook against Boston University on Wednesday. Although the Seawolves ultimately fell 67-66, No. 10 closed out the night as the game's leading scorer with a career-high 31 points, shooting 7-for-9 from outside and 6-for-7 from the line. Following up Wednesday's stellar performance, Ford held strong on Sunday with a team-high 19 points in a 63-53 loss to Maine, also chipping in three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
And, although Stony Brook University may be struggling to put some checks in the win column this season, Mykeema Ford is still only a freshman and undoubtedly the "Sunshine" and silver lining the Seawolves were hoping for.
"When I came to Stony Brook coming off the injury, in some ways I think I had lost some of my love for the game," she said. "I was homesick but my mom, my coaches back home, my coaches here and my team really helped me pull through. My goal is to go pro. That's what I've wanted since I was a little kid. Like I said, the old Mykeema is back."
Or, dare we say, the new Mykeema appears to be taking off.
?The Trentonian2004
