Some who believe in fate might see a severe knee injury to a basketball player as a sign to try something different. That it happened twice to the same knee would be a definite message.
Or the message could instead become one of perseverance and striving to once again play the sport you love no matter how long it took.
Roberts Wesleyan graduate student and 2016 Spencerport HS grad Michaela Contestabile had a solid high school career where she still holds the Rangers girls basketball career record for blocked shots (104) and field goal percentage, was a two-time captain, and Most Valuable Player her senior season.
She then went to Allegheny College where she worked her way into the starting lineup as a freshman, averaged 17 minutes per game, finished second on the squad in blocked shots, and averaged six points per game.
Challenge number one came just prior to her sophomore year.
“I ended up having patella tendon issues and had to get surgery,” Contestabile said. “That put me out and then the next season getting ready for my junior season (2018-19) to play again and I realized my knee wasn’t quite strong enough to come back yet. So, I ended up taking my junior and senior season off.”
And then challenge number two.
“I had a lot of time between then and now to rehab, get my knee strong and everything and then unfortunately in a freak accident I ended up dislocating my knee and needed to get reconstruction done and that was last September.
“So now I can finally say that I’m back to full health; fighting to get where I’m at right now and to be able to play knowing that I have one year of eligibility left, coming back to Roberts and just being so thankful and excited for this opportunity.
“It was kind of crazy and surreal how it (coming to Roberts) happened. I had talked to coach (Kevin) Clifford and coach (Jack) Rosati, our assistant coach, remembered watching me in high school at Spencerport and I thought, ‘what a small world.’
“So, I was talking to them and the fact that it was in Rochester and I already had a connection with them, that they had an open spot on their roster for me above all else; it all worked out perfectly and I couldn’t be happier with the decision.”
Contestabile is the first or second player off the bench for Roberts Wesleyan and is providing veteran leadership. In a game December 3 against Saint Rose, she ended a 14-0 Golden Knights run by driving to the basket and using her left hand for the lay-up – just what a coaching staff expects from a leader.
“I’m 24 years old, so I’ve obviously had a lot of experience in the game from playing on a bunch of teams. We have a very skilled group and we all have our strengths and weaknesses and I think me kind of getting back into my groove after not playing in two or three years has been the biggest adjustment for me.
“I don’t look at myself as a huge scorer anymore because I know my limitations with how I can move, so my biggest focus has been on defense. I’ve kind of worked my way up to the role that I’m in now and the sixth or seventh off the bench and helping out where I can, getting blocks, rebounds, points. I’m definitely working up and I’m not done yet.”
The road back to the court has been a long one of keeping her eye on the goal through long, grueling rehabs spanning years, a skill set that will pay benefits after basketball as Contestabile prepares for the next phase with her coming degree in Strategic Leadership.
“I actually hope to own my own clothing brand one day. I am 6’3” so I am fairly tall, so I want to open up a clothing line so women have more accessibility to clothing that is relatively well-priced.
“Mainly athletic/leisure kind of clothing; nothing too businessy or anything like that, so after I get my degree, the hope is the next year or two to kind of have my business plan together and start moving ahead with that.”
Based on what she has gone through just to get back to playing competitive basketball again, one would be foolish to bet against her. But first, there’s another half-season of basketball left – and she’s earned it.
Photos provided by Roberts Wesleyan
