Brantley may return tonight for FSHS girls

There’s a chance Free State High girls basketball starting guard Jenna Brantley will return for tonight’s 6 p.m. game against Lawrence High.

Brantley has missed Free State’s last two games with a left ankle injury she suffered against Topeka Seaman in the Metro Prep Classic.

Free State coach Bryan Duncan said Brantley didn’t practice Monday. She just started jogging Tuesday.

“It’s day-to-day,” Duncan said. “In December, in a non-league game, we’re not going to take any risks. I would say limited action (tonight) at best.”

Free State will take a 4-1 record into tonight’s game against LHS. Brantley said despite tonight’s opponent being the crosstown rival Lions, she recognized the importance of being able to play for the rest of the season – not just tonight. After tonight’s game, Free State won’t play again until Jan. 5.

“I just want to make sure that I don’t get hurt worse, because it’s just the beginning of the season,” Brantley said.

Brantley has visited Danny Manning, Kansas University’s director of student-athlete development, every day to rehab the ankle for two hours. Manning’s daughter, Taylor, a sophomore forward, plays for Free State.

“I’ve been rehabbing on his Game Ready machine,” Brantley said. “It’s just for icing your ankle, basically.”

Brantley wore a boot in the time leading up to her recovery. She hasn’t been able to condition or practice shooting in the 11 days since the injury. After her jogging session Tuesday, she said she would try to resume shooting again.

In her time off the court, Brantley has been able to soak in a new perspective from the sidelines.

“I’ve just been trying to look at the game from a coach’s perspective and trying to learn from the players’ mistakes so I’ll be able to fix them once I get back,” Brantley said. “I’ve just been trying to help everyone and be a leader while I’m gone.”

When Brantley returns to playing guard, Free State will have one of the most talented backcourts in the Sunflower League, with senior Lauren Kimball at point guard. Brantley said the team, which has five seniors, has high goals this season.

“I’m looking forward to just being able to play and keep winning games and keep working to get to the state tournament,” Brantley said.