Taylor County senior Grace Bale had her second knee surgery in less than two years on Tuesday. (Photo Provided By Grace Bale)
Grace Bale led Taylor County in scoring as a freshman (11.2 points per game) and sophomore (16.2) when Taylor was 5th Region runner-up.
She was a tireless worker with big aspirations — college scholarship, winning a regional tournament. However, between her sophomore and junior years she tore the ACL/MCL in her right knee and missed the 2023 AAU season.
Even though she was able to play before her junior season ended, her scoring average dipped to 9.2 points per game — second best on the team despite her limited playing time in 22 games.
Bale had scored 1,085 points, pulled off 220 rebounds from her guard position and made 97 3-pointers in her high school career going into her senior season. She had an impressive 2024 AAU season and verbally committed to play her college basketball at Asbury in August so she could concentrate on her senior season.
However, Bale broke her foot in preseason practice and did not get cleared to play until recently but once again her plans got changed.
“I got cleared to play and played that night,” Bale, who had eight points and hit two 3-pointers in the game, said. “The next day at practice, and in the last 40 seconds of practice, my leg gave out and I had another torn ACL.”
This time it was her left knee.
“I had no pain in the game I played. Everything was fine in practice and then the knee just gave out,” Bale said.
She had surgery performed again by Dr. Darren Johnson in Lexington Tuesday and learned this injury at least only involved the ACL and not the MCL which should make for a quicker recovery time.
She had still been working out and shooting after her injury while waiting for the surgery.
“I was doing some walking workouts, so I was just not sitting around,” the Taylor senior said.
Bale worries this recovery could still be harder.
“I really don’t feel like doing all the rehab again and going to Lexington three days a week for therapy,” she said. “Fortunately, all my coaches have been there for me and I did get to use my knowledge of knee surgery with one of my other teammates who had knee surgery.”
She appreciated Barren County coaches letting her take the first shot and score in Taylor County’s final home game Feb. 21.
“That was really nice of them. People stood and cheered and that did make me feel good to see people cared,” Bale said.
Bale has stayed supportive of her teammates and hopes to be at Friday night’s 5th Region semifinal to watch her team play.
“I have enjoyed it but also wished I could play with them,” Bale said.
She hopes since she tore one ligament and not two this time that she will be “that much better” when she is cleared to play again after she gets to Asbury.
“I will still be in (physical) therapy when I get to Asbury and probably might have a redshirt season coming,” Bale, who will officially sign with Asbury March 26, said.
She does hope to possibly attend the state tournament next week in Lexington.
“I will probably try to come if Dad will come with me. We usually go once every year,” she said. “Of course, my plan was to be playing in the state tourney and I still hope my team will be and I can be there to support them.”
