Injury bug hits Renaissance Academy, and hits it hard

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You name an injury and at least one member of the Renaissance Academy boys’ basketball team has sustained the setback at some point the season. It’s like an epidemic. A curse. A jinx. But through it all, the Wildcats continue finding ways to win.

“It’s like a bad episode of that old television show M*A*S*H. I‘ve never seen anything like it,’ Coach Sid Cooke said after Monday‘s 64-47 nonleague victory over visiting Brentwood. “I go into every game hoping and praying we don’t lose another player. Honestly, I don’t know how we’re getting it done, but we are.’

Josh Thomas missed the better part of the last month with a torn meniscus. Matt Raya has been sidelined with a hyper-extended knee. Yader Combs can’t shake a pulled groin. Troublesome ankles have bothered Justin Cook, Hector Harold and DeAndre Daniels. The team trainer has been busy lately. Real busy.

A break in the schedule looms, and couldn’t come at a better time for Renaissance Academy, ranked No.14 by The Times. The players have 10-plus days off before their next game, Feb. 7 against Community Charter, followed by the regular-season finale against Mission Prep. In between, the team will practice sparingly.

They say time heals all wounds. Well, it better, for the Wildcats‘ sake.

-- Sean Ceglinsky