The reports of Luke Postorino's demise, as it turns out, have been greatly exaggerated. Tonight in Clearwater's playoff opener against Gibbs, the Tornado senior guard is expected to play, just three weeks after his season was supposedly finished by a torn ACL in his left knee.
"I'm going to try and play," said Postorino, who still hasn't had surgery to repair the injury. "I just got the brace today and was testing it out at practice. It feels okay. It hurts, but it's good enough to play."
His doctor and others he has consulted told him playing was a "big risk," but only because he could end up tearing his meniscus as well, prolonging his rehabilitation. Postorino, the team's leading scorer at the time of the injury, said the swelling subsided quickly, and because he worked out hard to get the knee ready for surgery, he feels strong. He also feels he has a mental advantage, having suffered a torn ACL in his other knee prior to his junior year and knowing how to handle it.
Postorino said he can't cut, but is fine running straight ahead and his shot seemed unaffected Wednesday. He said he could be used against zone defenses. The county's leading free throw shooter could also be a late entry if the Tornadoes are protecting a lead.
