This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/25/2020 12:00 AMSenior captain Laura Petrafesa was a pivotal member of a North Haven girls’ basketball team that won 14 games and made some noise in the playoffs this year. However, in order to help North Haven have such a successful season as a senior, Laura had to overcome some serious obstacles during the preceding years.
During Laura’s sophomore year, the shooting guard was taking part in North Haven’s last practice before the team’s regular-season finale. Laura ruptured a ligament in her right ankle and was forced to undergo surgery, sidelining her for the next six months.
Laura battled through the rehabilitation process in order to return to the court. She didn’t want to let her injury prevent her from playing basketball. Despite missing that final game, Laura was named North Haven’s Most Valuable Player for her sophomore campaign.
“It was a major setback for me. I never experienced an injury where I had to get surgery before,” says Laura. “It was scary, but [then-head coach Ray Degnan] helped me through, my parents helped me through it. I was able to start walking again and slowly jogging. I had a lot of motivation. I saw everyone starting to play again and do fall league, and I was eager to get on the court.”
When Laura stepped foot on the floor as a junior, she was named one of North Haven’s captains alongside Colleen Lucey. Laura says it was an honor that she was chosen for a captain’s role. North Haven snuck into the Class L State Tournament that year and wound up posting a 45-34 victory over Bullard-Havens in its first-round matchup.
“It was such a great feeling getting back on the court. It was a very memorable experience,” Laura says. “Playing in states and being able to win a game in front of a great crowd, it was a great atmosphere to be in.”
Laura underwent a second surgery on her ankle during the summer prior to her senior year, but was ready to go at the start of the season. Unfortunately, in the middle of the season, she suffered a strained hamstring and was out for the next few weeks. Once again, Laura had to battle her way back into action.
First-year Head Coach Tom Blake was not only impressed with Laura’s resilience, but also with the leadership that she displayed both on and off the court.
“Laura led by example. She got hurt in the middle of the season, right when she was getting used to the offense and me and everything we were doing. When you’re on a roll, missing those games put her back a little bit,” says Blake. “But when Laura came back to play, she worked real hard and had some really good games for us. I would meet with her and say, ‘I need you to shoot the ball. I need you to step up and be the leader that you are.’ She stepped up and delivered for us.”
Laura started playing basketball when she was in 3rd grade. She competed in North Haven’s recreational league and also for the town’s travel team. As she grew up around the sport, Laura spent a lot of time shooting hoops with her father Charles, mother Danielle, and sister Emily. Those moments when the Petrafesa family was outside playing basketball together helped Laura develop even more of a passion for the sport.
“They would always drive me to practices and support me at games. My dad would always work with me on drills. Same with my mom. Even my sister would be outside,” Laura says. “We would all just play the game with each other, play 2-on-2. It was really fun, and that’s what kept me going.”
Laura also played soccer and softball while growing up, but ultimately decided to focus on basketball. With only one sport on her schedule, Laura was able to concentrate on the game she loves the most.
“I was pretty athletic, and I enjoyed the sport, which made me keep going. I fell in love with the game,” says Laura. “I love the feeling of teamwork. I was very team-oriented. In basketball, you need to all work together in order to score. I love working together and the feeling of winning.”
Laura embraces the team aspect of basketball. In fact, despite being a shooting guard, Laura feels that her best attribute on the court is her passing ability. Next year, Laura will get to display all of her skills on the collegiate level when she joins the women’s basketball team at Nazareth College in New York, where she is going to major in occupational therapy.
Laura feels excited to continue her career with the Golden Flyers. After coming back from multiple injuries and finishing her North Haven career on a positive note, Laura has learned that basketball is all about how you bounce back after being knocked down.
“The biggest thing about competing in basketball is to have heart and to never give up. No matter how many things set you back, you have to just keep going,” Laura says. “The game itself is that motivation for me to get back on the court, because I love basketball. I’d do this all over again in a heartbeat, even if it meant all the injuries would happen again. I love the game, and I love everything that comes with it.”