HOWELL — They were visible at every game, cheering on their Howell girls basketball teammates in street clothes with smiles on their faces, even if it was killing them inside not to be on the court.
MacKenzi Duthie missed her entire senior season with a knee injury sustained during a preseason scrimmage in November.
Emma Kanka was also sidelined with a knee injury, finally returning for the final six games in state-ranked Howell’s 23-2 season.
A long-term injury can be devastating for a senior athlete, particularly if it jeopardizes the opportunity to continue competing in college.
Duthie and Kanka were fortunate to be recruited by two programs that overlooked their temporary setbacks and saw what they could achieve long-term. Duthie will play basketball at Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Ind., while Kanka will be a thrower on the Eastern Michigan University track and field team.
They were among 21 Howell athletes who were recognized on Thursday, May 7, at the school’s annual signing day ceremony.
“It was really hard missing my senior year,” Duthie said, “but knowing I had four more years really helped me get through this recovery process with a positive mindset and having something to look forward to and goals to achieve.”
Duthie committed to Saint Mary’s before the season and was grateful that coach Rob Hoffman didn’t waver in his commitment to her after the injury.
“Coach Rob and all the girls have been so supportive throughout this entire thing,” Duthie said. “Coach Rob was like, ‘Go at your own pace. If we can get you back on the court in October, that would be great.’ I told him, ‘Obviously, I’ll be on the court way before October.’
“The girls, a couple of them, have been through it, so they’ve been super, super supportive, telling me I can reach out to them whenever. That’s been an awesome support system. Obviously, getting injured already being committed, I was really nervous how he was going to react, but it’s been nothing but ultimate support.”
Howell had four girls basketball players sign with colleges, the others being Lilly Williams (Michigan State), Gabby Piepho (Northwood) and Hannah Ralko (Olivet).
Coming into high school, Kanka saw herself as someone who would also continue playing basketball at the next level, but she developed into an all-stater and school-record holder as a thrower.
“I always thought I’d be more of a basketball person, but I ended up just kind of falling in love with the sport and being blessed with a talent and a will to work in the sport,” she said.
Kanka broke the school record in discus last season with a throw of 129 feet, 11 inches. She made all-state in shot put by placing sixth at the Division 1 finals. Kanka is one of only four Livingston County girls to break 40 feet in shot put.
She was recruited by Eastern after her knee injury, which went a long way with her when it came to making her college decision.
“I knew even if I had the misfortune of being injured again for any multiple reasons, I would feel secure and safe and feel supported in that environment,” Kanka said.
Kanka was able to return to the basketball team for a late-season game against Canton, scoring four points. Going through the recovery process with Duthie and having the support of her teammates helped Kanka get through a difficult winter.
“I love my team,” Kanka said. “I love Mac. I couldn’t have gone to the point where I am without them. They constantly made me feel supported and loved and that I was part of the team, even though I wasn’t actively playing.
“I will forever have the memory of being back on the court for the first time against Canton and having my whole team cheer and getting up off the bench and the whole crowd cheering when I finally, finally, finally made a basket. It was a unique experience. Even though it wasn’t what I wanted, it was beneficial to me in my whole development.”
Howell football players who will continue playing in college are Drew Lynn (Kalamazoo College), Jackson Pahl (Michigan State), Mason Schumaker (Northwood), Brayden Smith (Hillsdale) and Jack Spencer (Trine).
The baseball team produced college talent in Brady Hamilton (Davenport), Danny Hampton (Northwood), Blake Lowery (Lansing Community College), Nick Myers (Alma) and Nick Syrett (Cornerstone).
Also committing to colleges are Liliana Beaton (Northwood lacrosse), Kaia Davis (Michigan State cheerleading), Gabby Horvath (Central Michigan cheer/stunt), Janie Mitter (Saginaw Valley State lacrosse), Leighton Scott (Northwestern Ohio softball) and Ciera Thames (Eastern Michigan cheerleading).
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Two Howell basketball seniors to compete in college despite injuries
Reporting by Bill Khan, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
