JASPER, Tenn. — For 20 nervous minutes, Keta Robinette lay crumpled on the floor, her immediate future and Marion County’s hopes of winning its first girls’ district basketball championship in 10 years uncertain.
Since the first game tipped off this season, the junior has led the tri-state area in scoring as the key to a Lady Warriors team that starts two sophomores and two juniors, dominating District 6-A.
“Everything we do runs through Keta,” Marion coach Randy Ellis said. “She’s taught our team how to win.”
The 5-foot-6 Robinette has played all five positions, averaging 23 points, eight rebounds and 4.5 steals per game in leading the Lady Warriors to a 12-5 start.
But midway through the third quarter of last Friday’s game at Whitwell, Robinette slipped on a wet spot and crashed to the floor. The sound of her hip hitting the court was like a gunshot and her left leg bent awkwardly behind her, sending teammates and opponents scattering away. As Ellis trotted to her side, he feared the worst.