Luke Postorino tears his right ACL, leaving Clearwater without its leading scorer and assist man.
By JOHN C. COTEY
Published February 8, 2004
Point guard Luke Postorino sustained his second torn ACL in two years Tuesday, ending his career at Clearwater and dealing a blow to what is considered one of the county's top teams.
Postorino was hurt in Tuesday's 70-39 victory over Dixie Hollins. His father, Mick, said results from an MRI came back Friday, revealing the tear in his right knee.
"Unfortunately, he's done," Mick Postorino said. "It's very disappointing."
Mick also said some colleges had been keeping an eye on his son and considering him for a scholarship.
"I'm not sure what happens with that now," Mick said. "There were a lot of schools interested."
Injuries stalled what once was a promising career. As a freshman, he drew comparisons to his brother, Josh, Clearwater's all-time leading scorer.
But during the summer of 2002, Postorino tore the ACL in his left knee during an AAU game. He returned in time for the season opener, though he said recently it wasn't until this past summer he felt 100 percent.
This season, he was leading Clearwater in scoring at 14 points and assists at 3.8. He also was second in the county in free-throw shooting, and his ball-handling and ability to run the offense were reasons the Tornadoes were considered a state contender.
Those duties now fall to junior Darius Hart, who has started opposite Postorino in the backcourt this season.
Clearwater is 20-1 and ranked No. 3 in the Class 5A state poll. It is seeded first in its district and plays for the Pinellas County Athletic Conference title next week as the North representative.
