Senior adds spark to Hawks
Keegan Gardner was one of the Hodgdon Hawks who celebrated winning a gold ball last year in Augusta. This year, it looked as if Gardner would not be playing on the hardwood again in his high school career.
“I’ve torn both my ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament, a connective tissue of the knee) and meniscus in each leg,” he said. “The second time it happened the doctor told me the ACL tear was old and it happened probably months before my surgery. I played in the Bangor tournaments and won a state championship with a torn ACL and I didn’t even know it.”
Gardner underwent surgery in August for a torn left meniscus and was sidelined for his entire senior year of soccer. The injury was not new to Gardner, who suffered a torn ACL playing summer basketball after his freshman year. He was operated on and not cleared for sports until March of his sophomore year.
The trouble for this season began last summer when he was at soccer tournament in Caribou. He injured his left knee and a couple of weeks later, he was at a birthday party playing basketball when he complained of pain.
An MRI revealed a torn meniscus, so Gardner and his family were hopeful that he would only be out during the fall.
“When I woke up from surgery is when I found out I had an old tear in my ACL and I would not be able to play basketball,” Gardner said.
For the last five months, Gardner has undergone physical therapy.
“It is hard to watch seniors who get injured not be able to play after having successful years leading up to their senior year,” coach Robbie Smith explained. “This team has welcomed him back and enjoy watching and playing alongside of him. With his knowledge and experience he can work with some of the younger players at the guard position when he is at practice, on the floor or bench during games.”
Gardner is hampered slightly by the bulky brace on his left knee, but he is thankful for another chance to play high school basketball.
“I feel like I’m a good addition to a young Hodgdon team this year,” said Gardner. “The main goal now is to make it to Bangor and right now, I feel like I can lead them there.”
The Hawks are 8-7 on the season. They are currently in 11th position in Class D.
“It was hard knowing I couldn’t play sports for my senior year in high school,” Gardner said. “But, I felt like I was healthy enough to come back and play even if I didn’t wait the time I was supposed to.”
On Jan. 22 at home, Gardner suited up and played his first game of the season against Central Aroostook.
“I was just going to have him sit on the bench, but that will to compete was too much,” said Smith. “We had talked earlier that week about slowly working him in and when he is comfortable and ready then he would play. He practiced with his new brace and seemed comfortable so on that Thursday when he talked to me about playing, I agreed to make it happen. He only saw limited minutes on that night, but each game, we have progressively increased his minutes.”
“It’s a good feeling to be back on the floor,” Gardner added. “I feel a lot more mature than last year. I’m way more laid back now. I try to help everyone out if they make a mistake, instead of getting mad over it. Hopefully, I’m a good role model for the younger guys like I want to be. Even if we are losing, I’m never complaining. I’m just happy to be back out there.”
Gardner is a fast-footed guard who adds another dimension of play to the Hawks.
“He adds a spark off the bench at the point guard position,” said Smith. “He sees the floor well and can get the ball to his teammates whether they are open around the perimeter or in the paint.
“He has put in a lot of time and effort over the past three years and faced a lot of adversity with injuring both knees and I am glad that he was able to return and play a few games his senior year,” Smith added.
