Maya Khan wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
When Khan tore her PCL in her right knee two months ago, her season was in serious doubt. Doctors originally told Khan they thought she’d be back in a few weeks, but a later diagnosis pushed that date to after the conclusion of the winter championships.
Khan wasn’t about to accept that verdict.
Through hard work and physical therapy, Khan returned for the playoffs for the Commack girls basketball team. Khan, a senior, is no longer the one being told ‘no,’ she’s the one telling it to others when they attempt to put up a shot. The 5-10 forward had a key blocked shot in the closing seconds to help top-seeded Commack hold onto a 45-43 victory over No. 4 Northport in the Suffolk Class AAA girls basketball semifinals at Ward Melville on Tuesday night.
“I started going to (physical therapy) more, doing stuff on my own and just begging the doctor,” Khan said. “I got a little bit of luck and I was able to get cleared for now and I’m so happy to be back.”
And her teammates are happy to have her. Although Khan plays with a bulky brace on her right leg, she’s still on the court the majority of the contest. Khan had eight points but her most important play was blocking a shot at the basket with 24 seconds left in the fourth quarter with Commack holding a 44-43 lead when Khan was one foul away from fouling out.
“I thought I just had to put my all into that one play,” Khan said. “I had my last foul, so I felt I didn’t have anything to lose.”
Commack (22-0) advances to play Whitman (19-3) in the Suffolk Class AAA final at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Suffolk CCC-Selden. Commack is seeking its first county title since 2018.
Northport (16-6) cut Commack’s lead to 44-43 when Kennedy Radziul sank a three-pointer with 1:43 left during a Tigers 6-0 run. Sofia Vasselman made a foul shot with 16 seconds left following Khan’s blocked shot to extend the Cougars’ lead to 45-43. Commack’s Haley Loscalzo stole a pass…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply