The priorities set by Methuen/Tewksbury sophomore Sarah Doherty and her mom weren’t precisely matching up two years in the past.
In the instant days following an operation to biopsy a tumor in her mind, Doherty’s head was swollen past perception, virtually forcing her eyes utterly shut. Just part of the restoration course of, there wasn’t as a lot of a priority for the swelling as a lot as there was a priority for what the following obstacles had been.
For the eighth-grader, maybe it was the lingering pleasure of creating the Methuen/Tewksbury ladies hockey crew only a week prior, or perhaps a consolation that solely somebody who’s had mind surgical procedure earlier than can really feel.
Either method, Doherty had a novel hill to climb in thoughts.
“I was worried about (occupational therapy) and (physical therapy) and her being able to track letters on a page in a book; and she’s worried about getting her head squeezed into a hockey helmet,” mom Kim Doherty stated. “When she finally squeezed her big fat head into it, it was like the best thing ever (for her).”
It doesn’t take a lot effort to see simply how a lot hockey means to Doherty.
When she had the process to biopsy the tumor, it was the second mind operation the teen wanted inside a three-year span for 2 separate points. But if eradicating a rupture within the veins of her mind – arteriovenous malformation, or AVM – within the sixth grade wasn’t sufficient to discourage her, there was little probability a benign tumor would.
Making the crew as an eighth-grader was a significant accomplishment for Doherty, one which she doesn’t take calmly. It wasn’t too way back she noticed her older cousin, Abby O’Keefe, win the Div. 1 state title at TD Garden, simply moments earlier than fellow cousin Will O’Keefe got here up simply in need of the identical feat with the Tewksbury boys. Her brother, Billy Doherty, and different cousin, Ben O’Keefe, would go on to win that title for the boys final yr.
It’s virtually inexplicable how worthwhile being a Red Ranger is to Doherty, however the defender certain does job of displaying it.
“I love it,” Doherty stated. “I love everything about it. The team, the coaches – they’re always great at teaching me new things. It’s just been so awesome, I’ve had a great time on and off the ice. I love every part of it.”
Seeing Doherty now, you’d be hard-pressed to guess she’s had two mind surgical procedures.
Red Rangers interim coach Dave O’Hearn says it’s a typical prevalence to see the defender laying out to make a play and her onerous, bodily, vocal fashion has earned her common appearances.
With her contributions this yr, the Red Rangers (7-3-1) are a authentic menace for one more deep run within the Div. 1 event behind a dominant protection. MJ Petisce and Lyla Chapman assist lead the group in entrance of a trio of formidable goalies, combining to permit simply over one objective per recreation regardless of taking part in most video games within the brutal MVC/DCL.
But via all of these contributions, Doherty’s affect extends a lot deeper.
“She just brings everything every day,” O’Hearn stated. “She’s the life of the party, playing music on the bus. You hear her voice, she’s the loudest one out there. She’s the one who leads us in our cheers. If you’re talking just pure team spirit, it’s Sarah Doherty. She’s just a great person, so coachable, and she works tremendously hard. … She means a lot to a lot of people over here.”
Added head coach Sarah Doucette, on maternity depart: “I think she really understands that balance of working hard and being dedicated, but also enjoying every minute and making sure her teammates are enjoying every minute.”
There are nonetheless some scary moments when Doherty takes the ice. Just three weeks in the past, Doherty collided with a Shrewsbury ahead and misplaced consciousness for a couple of seconds after touchdown instantly on the again of her head.
Those few seconds felt like minutes, however Doherty finally got here to. Teammates helped her skate off the ice, and in typical style, she let loose a joke saying, “Well, that was embarrassing.”
She was cleared to play two video games later, and she or he did with grace.
With that in thoughts, there’s actually little question for her dad and mom to let her maintain taking part in.
“Sarah is hockey, through and through,” Kim Doherty stated. “Literally, it’s like disconnecting her from what she loves most. It’s just not an option, really. … Hockey is her identity, it’s in her blood.”
Three cheers
Hip – Norwell boys senior Tim Ward scored twice in a 3-2 win over Plymouth North, giving him 9 factors over the past three video games because the Clippers superior to 12-1 getting into the weekend.
Hip – Hamilton-Wenham boys junior ahead Will Stidsen earned the clutch award of the week towards Latin Academy on Wednesday, scoring the game-tying tally with 2.5 seconds left in regulation earlier than netting the game-winner in additional time.
Hooray – Make it now seven gamers throughout girls and boys hockey to cross the 100-point threshold this yr, and the second for the Bishop Stang ladies. Three weeks faraway from Mikayla Brightman changing into this system’s first to crack 100, Lexi Yost scored three objectives and dished two assists towards Dennis-Yarmouth to affix her among the many ranks.
One-timers
The time has lastly come for the highly-anticipated Ed Burns Coffee Pot Tournament. Sunday opens up the three-round event that includes 16 of the perfect public faculty groups within the state. Eight groups begin play at midday in Arlington inside the Doherty division, whereas Brinn division play opens on the similar time in Natick.
The Acton-Boxboro ladies crew is in uncommon air, winless via 11 video games only one yr after reaching the Div. 1 state semifinals. But between going through the highest-rated power of schedule within the state and navigating it with simply 11 gamers after vital transfers and accidents shortened the roster, there isn’t a lot to groan over. They sit at No. 26 within the newest MIAA energy rankings with probability at making the playoffs.
Source: www.bostonherald.com