Mitchell overcomes adversity to help Stars reach regional
When the players hit the court on Saturday at the Lapel Regional, there probably isn't a player more grateful for the opportunity than Western Boone senior Eli Mitchell.
Mitchell was in a severe car accident in October of 2023, where he fell asleep at the wheel and flipped his truck into a pole. The accident left Mitchell with a shattered left wrist and cost him his left thumb.
Doctors originally told Mitchell his competitive basketball career was over, but once he came out of surgery last fall, he knew he wasn't going to give up the game he loves.
"I'm really excited for the regional," Mitchell said this week. "I knew I could get here and am glad to have these guys around me. I'm really happy with where I am. There was definitely a thought that my basketball career was over and at first the doctor said I shouldn't play competitive basketball again. But having this group of guys around me, it was good motivation to not give up the sport."
Mitchell said he was back on the court a week after his surgery, which put two sets of pins in his left arm, trying to figure out what he could do.
He quickly realized that he could defy the odds and play again - even if he had to change some aspects of his game.
As a right-handed shooter, Mitchell was still able to get shots up. But now missing his left thumb, he had to adjust and relearn some skills he once took for granted.
"It was definitely different and it was a lot of re-learning muscle memory," Mitchell said. "I had to get used to dribbling with my left hand without a thumb, and things like lay-ups not having my thumb there to support the ball - it's a little weird feeling. I knew I would have to be more secure on my left hand and it was just getting more comfortable with the ball."
Mitchell said there were definitely frustrating times during his rehab process, but it a lot of it was just as much mental as it was physical..
"It was definitely tough and there is a lot of negativity in your mind," Mitchell said. "You just have to push it away and not let people tell you what you can and can't do."
Overcoming the adversity is also something that Mitchell has grown accustom to during his high school experience.
He also plays tennis, and missed parts of each of his first three seasons with various ailments, including a dislocated knee.
But whatever life has thrown at him, he has just continued to grind and get better.
"He has a magnetic personality - he is always smiling, in a good mood and joking around, but once a match started, he was focused, serious and knew what to do to win," Western Boone tennis coach Dustin Cunningham said. "He still showed up to everything (even when injured). He could've gave up and quit at any point in time and kept fighting through all those various injuries."
Western Boone head basketball coach Dustin Oakley said it has been special to see Mitchell work his way back over the past two years to be a significant piece of the Stars puzzle this year.
He was forced to miss almost all of last year due to the injury, but was a constant presence around the team as he worked his way back and got on the court at the end of the year.
This year he has been one of the Stars top defensive players and is averaging 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds a game.
Fittingly, Mitchell scored the final points of Saturday night's sectional title game against Seeger, then was able to sub out and get a much deserved ovation from the WeBo faithful.
"He is very fortunate to be alive after that accident," Oakley said. "He has really inspired the guys fighting his way back and I think the guys around him motivated him to keep grinding. It's a special thing for him. For him to keep persevering and getting through, and now he is a sectional champ. It's just awesome."
Mitchell and his teammates know they have another stiff challenge ahead of them in the regional against top-ranked Wapahani at 4 p.m. at Lapel.
But Mitchell and the Stars aren't ready for the season to be over, and are embracing the opportunity that lies ahead of them and don't want to take the opportunity for granted.
"It definitely motivates us (that it could be our last game)," Mitchell said. "I think we are going to stand by each other and we know we can get it done."
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