The experience was “terrible” for Hobart senior Asia Donald, as she put it.
The 5-foot-9 guard was not at all a fan of the pulled left hamstring she suffered during the season. It forced her to miss four games and parts of two others.
But the injury didn’t prevent Donald from putting together the best season of her illustrious career, including earning a spot as an Indiana All-Star.
“It was a great season with Asia,” Hobart coach Alaina Richter said. “She’s improved every single year, not just based off her stats, but as a kid. She’s improved her game. She just impressed me in every single area this year.”
Donald, an Indiana State recruit, averaged 26.7 points to top the state among players from teams in the Indiana High School Athletic Association, as well as 10.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.0 steals — all high-water marks. In fact, she increased her scoring, rebounding and assists in each of her four seasons.
But Donald’s development extended beyond sheer numbers, according to Richter.
“She stepped up as a vocal teammate and led her team to a lot of wins,” Richter said.
Indeed, Donald, the 2022-23 Post-Tribune Girls Basketball Player of the Year, lifted Hobart (14-11) to its first winning season since 2015. She also carried the Brickies to their first win in a sectional game since 2015, as they topped Kankakee Valley 57-46 to reverse a regular-season loss from the Northwest Crossroads Conference schedule.
“It meant a lot,” Donald said. “It hadn’t happened in a long time.”
Donald’s clear-cut importance to Hobart was established years ago. But it was hammered home further by her absence.
Donald hurt her hamstring in a loss to South Bend Adams during Lake Central’s holiday tournament on Dec. 28. Without her, the Brickies went 1-3 with a three-game losing streak that included their two lowest-scoring games of the season.
After returning in a little more than two weeks for two games, Donald aggravated her hamstring in a loss to Hanover Central, although she didn’t miss any more games. She had two points against Hanover Central and 11 against South Bend Adams but otherwise didn’t score fewer than 18, which she had in a sectional semifinal loss to Portage.
“I played good this season, but I could’ve done a little better,” Donald said. “I feel like I did good against the defenses they were throwing at me.”
Donald gained the respect and admiration of Region coaches. Several used the word “stud” to describe her.
“She’s a special player — great attitude and stuck with her team,” Merrillville coach Kelly Kratz said.
Donald said she feels fully recovered from her hamstring injury but opted not to run track this season to avoid any risk. She has been focusing on getting stronger and honing her skills ahead of joining the Sycamores.
Richter, a 2017 Hobart graduate who played at Indiana Northwest, was an assistant last season before taking over the program this season. Donald was a Junior All-Star last year, when she also set the program’s career scoring record.
“I loved coaching her,” Richter said. “She knows how to play herself. I wish I had more time with her. But we’re all very thankful to have had Asia in this program. She made quite a dent in it.
“We’re just so proud of Asia. She’s a great kid.”