North Carolina State University Athletics
Sherrill's Diagnosis Revamped
3/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 10, 2004
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C. - Upon reviewing the results of an MRI, NC State's sports medicine staff has revamped its diagnosis of the injury senior guard Scooter Sherrill sustained 10 days ago in a game against North Carolina. The initial thinking was that Sherrill had a grade two high ankle sprain, the type of nagging injury that can create discomfort for weeks. Now, according to Wolfpack head coach Herb Sendek, Sherrill's overall diagnosis has perhaps improved, although he has been listed as doubtful for this weekend's ACC Tournament in Greensboro.
"We've been able to identify that as opposed to having a high ankle sprain, in actuality, what he has done is torn the muscles on the lateral side of his ankle," Sendek said. "[At the time of the injury] he was wearing an ankle brace and it did its job; it protected the ankle. What happened was that the muscles were torn in the process. I don't know if that changes the recovery time. He's still very much day-to-day and he hasn't returned to practice yet. But I think it gives us a little more hope that he'll be able to get back sooner rather than later because sometimes with a high ankle sprain, that can go on for several weeks."
Sendek went on to say that the ankle is still plenty tender and sore, although Sherrill has finally been able to start walking without the assistance of a protective boot that he has been wearing as a precautionary measure.
"The best way to describe it right now is that he's doubtful for the ACC Tournament," Sendek said. "I would be very surprised at this point if he was able to play. It's already Wednesday now and he hasn't done anything. I think realistically the best we can hope for is that he's ready sometime next week. We'll stay positive and keep our options open and see how he progresses each day. Hopefully the news we're dealing with now with a torn muscle will give us some additional hope that he can turn the corner quicker."
The 6-3 Sherrill, a senior co-captain along with Marcus Melvin, has been a key figure in NC State's run to second place in the ACC standings this season. Known mostly for his offensive prowess throughout his career, Sherrill has also developed into a reliable defender who has done a good job of holding his own against some of the ACC's best backcourt scorers this season.
One of Sherrill's best defensive performances this season came against Florida State, which is the very same team the Pack will face in the quarterfinals on Friday night. In State's impressive 75-59 triumph over the Seminoles at the RBC Center last month, Sherrill held first team All-ACC guard Tim Pickett to just five points on 2-of-8 shooting from the floor.
Now it appears sophomore Cameron Bennerman will draw that defensive assignment when the Wolfpack and Seminoles meet for the third time on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. Bennerman is coming off a career-best 16-point, six rebound performance against Wake Forest last weekend.
"It's not that he's just important now, he's been important for us the last two years," Sendek said when asked about the increased role Bennerman has now inherited. "His ability to do what he did on Saturday was a function of what he was able to do up until then. I'm glad to see the work that he's done is hopefully paying off for him. He has a lot of ability and I think he always has. I'm very high on his future."
The NC State Radio Network will broadcast all eight games of the ACC Tournament beginning with Thursday night's 8 vs. 9 game between Virginia and Clemson. Airtime is 6:30 p.m.
Note: Wolfpack fans attending the tournament will be able to hear the broadcasts inside the arena on 87.7 FM.
