Weak Knee, Stout Heart Donaldson Fights Off Injury Tradition

Shea Donaldson wasn’t a bit surprised she blew out a knee. It’s a family tradition.

She wasn’t surprised, either, when she made it back to the basketball court in five months.

She was, however, surprised to received a rousing cheer from students and adults when she made her debut last Tuesday in Central Valley’s win over Shadle Park.

“It made me want to work harder,” the CV senior said. “I didn’t think everybody knew what happened or everybody cared what happened. When I heard everybody scream, it made me happy.”

Donaldson tore the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral miniscus in her right knee playing soccer in mid-July and underwent reconstructive surgery a month later.

The rule of thumb is six months of rehab before returning to action. She reached every goal her doctor put before her until there was nothing left but to clear her to play.

“I’m nervous,” her mother Chris admitted. “I’m very proud and I say a prayer every time.”

She is not, however, hesitant about letting her daughter play again.

“About a month ago, I said to Shea, ‘If you tear this again, how you going to feel?’ She looked at me and said, ‘Mom, I just want to play a high school sport one more time. Surgery wasn’t the worst thing I’ve been through. I’m not going to play college.”’

Greg Donaldson has a history of bad knees, which he passed on to his daughters.

“Greg’s not here to defend himself, but he would agree, he has horrible knees,” Chris said. “It’s hereditary.”

Lindsay, the middle daughter, blew a knee playing basketball for the Bears during her senior year of 1993-94. The eldest, Carey, who went to Gonzaga Prep, blew a knee playing soccer for Loyola Marymount in 1995.

Both returned to athletics, but neither quite as quickly as Shea.

“It’s a hell of an accomplishment, I can get almost teary-eyed thinking about it,” her father said. “I try to get past the proud father syndrome. I’m all for it… . I’m just pleased as punch for her. It’s hard to sit in stands, my stomach is just churning. She’s one hell of a large person with a lot of guts and a lot of drive, I couldn’t be happier.”

Central Valley coach Dale Poffenroth is as surprised as his player, but for a different reason.

“Considering other kids we’ve had with knee injuries … considering she not a pro athlete, yeah, I’m surprised,” he said. “It’s pretty remarkable, pretty shocking. She wants to be part of what we’re doing.”

The Bears, tied with Ferris for the Greater Spokane League lead, are ranked third in the state. Donaldson was a reserve on CV’s second-place state team last year.

“If she plays like she did this summer, she can really add to our basketball team,” Poffenroth said. “She was our best defensive player. The question becomes: Is she the same person she was this summer or does she just have a big heart?

“It’s neat this kid is coming back. She’s got so much heart, so much enthusiasm for the team, it’s hard to keep her out.”

Donaldson believes she can contribute, although joining the team midway through the season may make it difficult to break into the rotation.

“(The knee) felt good,” she said. “I felt like I could do most of the stuff I used to do. I think I’m pretty close (to 100 percent), but I’m not quite as fast as I used to be.”

Her attitude has made it easier for the family to push their worries aside.

“You’ve got to have a sense of humor,” her mother added. “I’m for hire, if any parent needs help if their kid has an ACL.”

As they said, experience is the best teacher.

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