Tennessee’s post game, already hard hit by injury, took another blow Wednesday.
Sophomore Glory Johnson suffered a left shoulder injury during a shooting drill. The injury’s severity was unknown. The official UT report was that the 6-foot-3 forward was being evaluated and was listed as day-to-day.
Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt expressed optimism that Johnson would be available for the season opener against Baylor on Sunday in the State Farm Tipoff Classic at Thompson-Boling Arena (Tipoff: 5 p.m., TV: ESPN2). Summitt’s first thought was that the injury wouldn’t present long-term problems.
“I don’t think so,’’ she said. “But the doctors will let me know.”
Johnson had been wearing a protective sleeve on the shoulder during a portion of preseason workouts.
“I don’t think anybody hit her,’’ Summitt said of Wednesday’s injury. “It just gave way.”
Summitt got a good view of the postmortem. She sat with Johnson while UT medical staffers attended to the former Webb School star for at least 15 minutes. Summitt has her own history of shoulder injuries.
“I felt her pain,’’ she said. “Been there, done that.”
Johnson’s teammates were concerned enough to convene a prayer circle.
“Vick (Baugh) just kind of said: You know what, we should pray for her real quick,’’ junior guard Angie Bjorklund said.
Baugh, a junior forward, already is out for the opener as she continues recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. She’s practicing on a limited basis, and her return doesn’t appear to be imminent.
“I’m comfortable if it’s in the new year,’’ Summitt said. “We’re not rushing anything.”
Meanwhile, center Kelley Cain has a surgically repaired right knee and freshman post Faith Dupree missed nearly a week recently with back spasms. Johnson’s injury adds to the lengthy medical report.
Johnson, who made the coaches’ preseason all-SEC second team, started 28 games last year, averaging 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Tennessee will face Baylor’s Brittney Griner on Sunday. The 6-foot-8 freshman center’s final warmup for Tennessee was 25 points, 11 rebounds and a dunk in an 81-52 exhibition victory over Incarnate Word on Saturday.
Summitt indicated that freshman Taber Spani, who came to UT as a guard, will start at forward Sunday. Cain will start at center with Bjorklund and Shekinna Stricklen manning the guard spots.
The fifth spot is open, pending a prognosis on Johnson.
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Comments » 20
ontheopenroad writes:
Ah, phooey! (funny, I didn't type phooey, but oh, well)
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
Man, I hope this turns out to be nothing. Cain will need a break (or will have to come out due to foul trouble because the refs stink) and the only other one who can possibly guard Griner is Glory. Sure hope these refs understand that the women's game can be physical and will call a good game. If Brian's reffing, we're doomed.
ontheopenroad writes:
deerbedar, I do hope you were being a bit facetious about her being the most consistent player last year. She has SO much potential, but I think that she may have been one of the most inconsistent players last year (maybe a toss up with Angie)
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Women's basketball refs are, to say the least, wildly inconsistent. Some games it seems that no player can breathe on another without a foul being called and other games the rule seems to be "no autopsy, no foul". For this reason, the refs seem to control the outcome of games more often than in any other sport. I don't think it is conspiracy so much as sheer incompetence, but it is a problem any way you look at it.
BTW, bad news if Glory's injury is serious. She has as much untapped potential as anyone on the team. Her progress this year could have almost as much to do with the outcome of the season as the health of Baugh and Cain.
CTOWNICON writes:
Hopefully this is not serious! I thnk this team needs Glory. She will be a great player. She has super potential which she shows at times, and her rebounds are priceless. I hope Brewer and Dupree are ready and I hope Vicki is healthy enough to join the squad on the floor.
kazoo writes:
A prayer circle is kind of silly...
mlsoft#228820 writes:
Silly???
Prayer is never silly for the committed Christian. Not trying to be confrontational or mean spirited, but your comment reflects Biblical ignorance.
mlsoft
ladyvolsfan789 writes:
When they called the prayer cirlce they probably didn't know the extent of the injury. We weren't there when the injury occured. If Glory was lead off the floor clutching her shoulder in pain, I'm sure the Lady Vols would have every reason to be concerned.
This event just shows how unified this team is, and hopefully this unity will help to make the Lady Vols the best they can be.
xvolx writes:
I'm probably Johnson's biggest critic, but I never want to see a player get injured. Hope you get well soon Glory.
phhome writes:
You may want to take the time to learn to pray yourself! Prayer is never silly and for you to judge anyone, means you need Christ in your life more than ever. GOD HEARS PRAYERS!!! Take no prisoners GBO!
98reax writes:
TellicoVol, there's never a bag limit on prayer. Believe it first, then try it. God answers prayers of a righteous man, in His own time, in His own way.
I sure hope Glory is alright.
rocky_topper writes:
wow! i MUST'VE WATCHED A DIFFERENT LADY VOLS TEAM THEN!
vols16#567738 writes:
"Summitt got a good view of the postmortem." Dan Fleser, did Glory die too? In all due respect, maybe you should check on what a coroner does for a living.
xvolx writes:
God does answer prayers. Sometimes he says NO.
reachkim00 writes:
Get well soon to all the injured ladies.. we need you.
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!
Volunatic writes:
"Summitt got a good view of the postmortem"
Does Mr. Fleser know what "postmortem" means?
Volunatic writes:
What vols16#567738 said...
Volunatic writes:
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Glory.
98reax writes:
xvolx writes:
in response to 98reax:
TellicoVol, there's never a bag limit on prayer. Believe it first, then try it. God answers prayers of a righteous man, in His own time, in His own way.
I sure hope Glory is alright.
God does answer prayers. Sometimes he says NO.]]
xvolx, That is so true. If that's the case, we have to accept that. Women take huge risks playing a physical sport like D1 college basketball. Add the potential for injuries from practicing full speed against male practice players, the gals are very blessed to escape without serious injury.
I'm concerned for Baugh's return. These lean, lanky gals take a beating. Hopefully, the Lady Vols can get healthy and strong enough to field a competitive team. I sure hate to see the fans get ugly again this season. My heart goes out to Pat and the coaching staff. They too need to be remembered in the prayer circle.
switcher76 writes:
Candace Parker played with a shoulder injury!!
Hope you get back on track soon Glory!
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