The return of Katie Tracy, who broke her ankle in late December, is ‘like a breath of fresh air’ for Marist

The hardest part was the waiting.

For Marist senior Katie Tracy, spending four weeks off her feet because of a broken ankle was probably just as agonizing as breaking it.

“Oh, it was horrible,” Tracy said. “Homework kept me busy for sure. But it was hard not doing any cardio. That’s kind of what keeps me going. But I got through it.”

Now, she’s back. Because she is, Marist’s season is still alive.

Tracy saved her best for last Monday night as the RedHawks defeated the host Thunderbolts 47-41 in a Class 4A Andrew Regional semifinal game.

Elise Ward led for Marist (15-16) with 25 points and six rebounds. Isabella Harmon added nine points and eight rebounds, while Elizabeth Badke contributed seven points and Maggie Farritor had nine rebounds.

Skye Echols totaled 16 points and 11 rebounds for Andrew (15-15). Jessica Morawski added 11 points, while Mikayla Summey had eight points and seven rebounds.

Marist will play Bolingbrook at 7 p.m. Thursday for the regional title.

Tracy, a shooting guard, sat for a large portion of the game due to foul trouble, but she was a difference maker in the fourth quarter.

An early steal resulted in a layup by Ward. A short time later, Tracy had a blocked shot. She also added three rebounds and forced a held ball.

Tracy’s only point — the game’s biggest — came with 15.5 seconds left. After grabbing a rebound and being fouled, she went down to the other end and hit a free throw to make it a two-possession game.

It was a moment to remember after a tough night shooting.

“Honestly, I was so in my head,” Tracy said. “I was just really down because my shots hadn’t been going in. I wasn’t really trying to think too much.”

She has come back from worse.

Tracy had her season turned upside down during a Dec. 27 game against Geneva. She was going for a rebound when she stepped on an opponent’s foot.

“My ankle just rolled,” Tracy said. “I’ve broken my ankle before and I’ve also sprained it a couple of times.”

The impact sent Tracy crashing into the bleachers. The noise brought the crowd at Morton College down to a whisper.

It was a moment Marist coach Renee Chimino doesn’t want to remember.

“When she went down, she was in a lot of pain,” Chimino said. “The next day, she came up to me and told me, ‘The doctor said six to eight weeks.’

“I was like, ‘All right, that’s it. That’s a wrap. She’s a senior. She’s done.’”

Not if Tracy could help it.

“When I could, I went to the gym to do arms and stuff,” Tracy said. “But I was restricted from most things. But with this being my senior year, I was willing to risk it. It’s still causing me pain, but it’s worth it to play through it.”

Chimino watched not necessarily in amazement but with admiration.

“Katie’s a pretty hardworking girl,” Chimino said. “She went to our trainer every day for treatment on her ankle. She iced every day. She didn’t need surgery, so she put in the work to get back for her teammates.”

Tracy played a few minutes on senior night against Joliet Catholic. Her first significant time came Jan. 28 with nine points against Marian Catholic.

“When she hit a few shots, it was like a breath of fresh air,” Chimino said. “It was like having a really big piece back at a really big time.”

Tracy has been in the starting lineup ever since.

“Having her down in midseason was definitely a blow to our team,” Ward said. “She is super athletic — a team player who can knock down the shot and drive.

“She’s one of the toughest people, fastest girls I know. It’s super amazing having her back.”