Bucknuts learned this afternoon that Cleveland (Ohio) Villa Angela-St.
Joseph's star David Lighty had to go in this morning for an MRI on his knee from
an injury suffered in Friday night's District final game. The results were not
good.
We spoke with Lighty early Wednesday evening, and he confirmed the worst-case
scenario.
"Yeah, basically they said I tore my ACL," a very disappointed
Lighty said. "I'm really bummed."
Lighty, who averaged nearly 24 points a game this season, suffered a fall in
the 3rd quarter of Friday night's game, and continued to play on it despite the
pain. Over the weekend, he realized it might be something worse.
So this morning, Lighty went in for an MRI, and that's when he learned of his
fate. Thus far, he's had the chance to talk to very few people about the
specifics.
"Michigan and Ohio State know about it, but that's really about it since
we just found out this morning," Lighty said.
The unfortunate injury to Lighty gives the Division III race in Ohio suddenly
an open invitation for Cincinnati North College Hill, led by O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, to have a clear path to the championship, with Villa Angela-St. Joe's
being without Lighty and Richard Semrau's Lutheran West team being eliminated
already.
Lighty, who still is thinking about Ohio State, Michigan, Syracuse, Florida,
North Carolina, and Arizona, had the opportunity to watch a little bit of Ohio
State's upset victory of Illinois on Sunday.
"Yeah I saw the end of it, what a great game," Lighty said.
"It was really great. They (Ohio State) played perfect at the end. It was
an awesome win."
"I guess I was a little surprised, but I knew they could pull it
out," he added.
Lighty will return to the doctor within the next week to find out whether or
not surgery will be necessary. Right now, he's tentatively expecting to be out
between four and six months before a full recovery.
We will monitor the situation.