Dec. 9, 2016
By Ryan Berti, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Just over one year ago, Amari Carter stepped foot onto the Bryce Jordan Center court for the first time of her career during the regular season. Playing basketball her whole life, this moment was the culmination of all her hard work, finally being able to play basketball at the Division I collegiate level.
Also rebounding off an ACL injury that saw her miss her senior high school season, she came out ready to prove what she could do and get back to the what she does best.
She got put into the game for her first action as a Lady Lion halfway through the first quarter, and it did not take her long to make an impact. Down by five, Carter got an open look and let it fly from behind the arc, knocking down her first 3-pointer and basket as a member of the Blue and White. The points helped knock the deficit back down to just two, a deficit Penn State would only dip below once more the entire game before eventually going on to a four-point overtime victory over Holy Cross.
But in such an important moment for her career, she did not have much time to soak it all in. Just before the end of the first quarter, Carter would go down with another injury. At first, the team was not quite sure what the injury might be, but when considering her unfortunate history of problems with her knees, the signs did not look good.
Ultimately it turned out to be another ACL tear, this time in her other knee, cutting her season short for the second consecutive year. Carter had just come back from a major injury only to have it happen once again just minutes into her next season.
"It was rough because I felt like I was already back," Carter said. Crushing as it was, she felt confident she could make a successful comeback again. "I knew what I was getting into because I've done it before," she said.
Amari also had the support of teammate Sierra Moore, who would also spend the season on the sidelines due to suffering the same injury in the preseason.
Together they would bond and work through the struggle side-by-side, each able to help the other out in a unique way. Moore, the then-junior, was able to help the freshman get through her tough times of having to watch the team play from the sideline early on in their career, as Moore transferred from Duke and had to sit out her true-sophomore season. Carter was able to share her knowledge of the process of coming back from an ACL injury, as Moore was experiencing it for the first time.
Along with those, just the fact that they were sharing the journey of going through the pain and the rehab together was something that helped them fight through their unfortunate circumstances and get back to basketball.
"I think [rehabbing together] is easier because you don't feel alone then," Moore said. You have somebody there that is going through the same thing as you. It really helps that you have someone who knows exactly how you're feeling and you can relate to them while you guys aren't doing the one thing you love: being on the court."
They would do everything together during the rehab process. Whether it be lifting or sharing each other's emotions, they got through the challenging process. With some help from the rest of the team and coaches providing support, both were able to return to full health and get back to the hardwood for 2016-17.
To say Carter has rebounded with success from her injury with success would be an understatement. Through the season's first nine games, the sophomore sits amongst the best in the country in efficiency; she is 2nd in the Big Ten and 3rd in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio at a stellar clip of 4.7:1. Her proficiency in passing has been her greatest asset in this stretch, averaging the same number at 4.7 assists per game.
"Her impact has been incredible," head coach Coquese Washington said about Carter's play this year. "Her decision making and her ability to get her teammates open shots has been something that has helped us be as successful as we have been right now."
On Wednesday, the guard had the opportunity to face the team she was injured when playing against last season in Holy Cross, and she was able to help guide the Lady Lions to a resounding 84-48 victory. Carter played 23 minutes and recorded 4 points, 6 assists and 4 steals in the win.
After dealing with back-to-back seasons of ACL tears, it can be easy for someone to limit their play out of fear that a re-injury could occur. But Carter's ability to push her doubts aside has allowed her to focus on what's ahead and get to the point she's at now.
"You can't go into a game and play to not get hurt or think about getting hurt, you've just got to go to play and execute the game plan and whatever happens, happens. Some things are just out of your control," Carter said.