Geneva loses Sidney Santos to torn ACL

The Geneva girls basketball team learned Friday that freshman Sidney Santos will miss the entire season after tearing her ACL and meniscus in Monday's season-opening practice.

The injury occurred without any contact. Santos was going through a layup drill and came down wrong. Trainers and doctors feared a torn ACL immediately and an MRI Friday confirmed it.

“It was a freak accident, just her and another player passing back and forth full court with the last one shooting a layup,” Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. “As she went to plant to catch and do the layup the knee just buckled.”

Santos, the sister of Geneva junior forward Ashley Santos, was expected to come in and be an immediate inside contributor for a team that graduated 6-foot post players Lauren Wicinski and Kelsey Augustine from last year's 31-1 squad.

Nolan said Sidney Santos would have started at either power forward or center. Surgery will be scheduled soon.

“I feel terrible for Sidney,” Nolan said. “She worked so hard with us this summer and fall and I know she was really excited to start her high school varsity career. But I know she'll work just as hard to rehab and be ready for summer ball and her sophomore season.”

The Vikings still have dominant guard play from reigning Daily Herald Tri-Cities All-Area captain Kat Yelle and Sammy Scofield but who steps forward inside besides the versatile Ashley Santos remains to be seen.

Nolan said sophomore post Sami Pawlak stood out during the summer and backcourt returnees Kelsey Pease and Katelyn Allen will step into bigger roles. Nolan said there will be times Geneva has four guards on the court at the same time.

“That leaves the post positions open for whoever continues to step up the next few weeks,” Nolan said.

“Pawlak impressed us this summer and has continued to be impressive the first week of practice.”