Senior Matt Dunkin is easing his way back into Lawrence High's lineup.
A month ago, Dunkin wasn't so sure if he'd ever play basketball again for the Lions because of ongoing battle with migraines.
"He had his doubts," LHS coach Chris Davis said. "He has gotten quite a bit better. I think every now and then he has headaches. Right now, the biggest thing we're trying to do is get him in game shape."
Dunkin, a 6-foot-6 forward, has experienced migraines since a freak accident in the LHS weight room the day of the Lions' 2000-01 season opener. During a jumping drill over a box, he fell and hit his face on another box, breaking his nose and a cheekbone.
"I had been having headaches before then but after that happened I had more trouble with the pain," said Dunkin, who was limited to 10 games last season and often had to go home during practice because of throbbing headaches.
A year ago, Dunkin visited the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago and found a cure.
"He tried four different clinics trying to get it solved and he went to the Diamond Clinic and they found a medical solution and it's been helping," Davis said.
Dunkin, who has a total of 12 points in six games, thought the problem had been solved for good until last month.
"I got the treatment last year and it helped from February to December and then it started flaring up again," Dunkin said.
The flare-ups followed the LHS 2001-02 season opener at Topeka High on Dec. 1.
"He took three charges in the Topeka game and was knocked to the floor," Davis recalled. "The headaches came back and we were really concerned."
Instead of traveling to Chicago again, Dunkin had the Diamond Headache Clinic doctors forward information to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he received intravenous treatment for four days.
"No one in Lawrence knew much about it," said Dunkin, who continues to take medication for migraines. "The Chicago doctors called to make sure I received the same medication. They gave me the same treatment, so hopefully this will take care of it for a while."
Dunkin started last Friday against Shawnee Mission East. He transferred to LHS from SM East midway through his sophomore season.
"That was special," Dunkin said of getting the start.
Dunkin has been patient since arriving at LHS, the Lions' coach said.
"He's such a great kid and he has such a great attitude," Davis said.
The Lions will play tonight at Shawnee Mission Northwest. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.