DARLINGTON - All throughout football season, Darlington senior Chad Golackson battled a knifing pain in his back.
He received a cortisone shot and sat out three weeks. Golackson battled through a herniated disc in football and played in the WIAA Division 6 state championship game where the Redbirds lost to Eau Claire Regis 27-14 at Camp Randall Stadium.
When he got to the tip off of basketball practices in November, he was in pain just trying to hold on to the ball.
"It was just a stabbing pain," Golackson said. "I played in the state championship game (in football), but that was the worst. Days after that, I went and tried to start basketball practice, but I just couldn't do it."
Most of Golackson's senior basketball season was wiped out due to his injury. He went through a long road of recovery that included rest.
The 6-foot-3 Golackson, who was Southern Wisconsin All-Activities League last year, returned for a conference game at Southwestern on Feb. 9, and the Redbirds cruised to a 70-48 win. He played in just five regular-season games but has really come on in the postseason. Golackson scored nine points in a 53-38 regional championship win over rival Mineral Point on March 4. He followed that up by scoring eight points in a 73-59 sectional semifinal win over New Glarus on March 9. Then Golackson scored eight points in a 67-55 win over Cochrane-Fountain City in a sectional championship game Saturday.
Golackson said he's probably playing at 75 percent of his capability.
"I'm not at 100 percent," he said. "I'm good enough to play. I don't have the pain like I did before. Nothing is going to keep me from playing. I think I can hit shots."
Golackson has rewarded Darlington coach Tom Uppena's confidence in him by providing instant offense off the bench in the tournament.
"In this playoff run, my legs have come back, and my legs are stronger," he said. "I have been able to knock down some shots and that has given me some confidence."
Senior Hunter Johnson, who will be preferred walk-on for the University of Wisconsin football team in the fall, is excited to have his friend and teammate back on the court.
"It's definitely great to have him back," Johnson said. "He's been part of our team for a long time. He's been making shots at important times in the game. He gives our bench even more depth. He would start on any other team."
While Uppena coached the Darlington junior varsity team last season, he's aware of how much a healthy Golackson can make a difference.
"He's a guy we have missed all year," Uppena said of Golackson. "He adds a different dimension. He adds some size, and he's a heck of a shooter. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor, and he can knock down some 3s. It's a welcome spark for our team."
He received a cortisone shot and sat out three weeks. Golackson battled through a herniated disc in football and played in the WIAA Division 6 state championship game where the Redbirds lost to Eau Claire Regis 27-14 at Camp Randall Stadium.
When he got to the tip off of basketball practices in November, he was in pain just trying to hold on to the ball.
"It was just a stabbing pain," Golackson said. "I played in the state championship game (in football), but that was the worst. Days after that, I went and tried to start basketball practice, but I just couldn't do it."
Most of Golackson's senior basketball season was wiped out due to his injury. He went through a long road of recovery that included rest.
The 6-foot-3 Golackson, who was Southern Wisconsin All-Activities League last year, returned for a conference game at Southwestern on Feb. 9, and the Redbirds cruised to a 70-48 win. He played in just five regular-season games but has really come on in the postseason. Golackson scored nine points in a 53-38 regional championship win over rival Mineral Point on March 4. He followed that up by scoring eight points in a 73-59 sectional semifinal win over New Glarus on March 9. Then Golackson scored eight points in a 67-55 win over Cochrane-Fountain City in a sectional championship game Saturday.
Golackson said he's probably playing at 75 percent of his capability.
"I'm not at 100 percent," he said. "I'm good enough to play. I don't have the pain like I did before. Nothing is going to keep me from playing. I think I can hit shots."
Golackson has rewarded Darlington coach Tom Uppena's confidence in him by providing instant offense off the bench in the tournament.
"In this playoff run, my legs have come back, and my legs are stronger," he said. "I have been able to knock down some shots and that has given me some confidence."
Senior Hunter Johnson, who will be preferred walk-on for the University of Wisconsin football team in the fall, is excited to have his friend and teammate back on the court.
"It's definitely great to have him back," Johnson said. "He's been part of our team for a long time. He's been making shots at important times in the game. He gives our bench even more depth. He would start on any other team."
While Uppena coached the Darlington junior varsity team last season, he's aware of how much a healthy Golackson can make a difference.
"He's a guy we have missed all year," Uppena said of Golackson. "He adds a different dimension. He adds some size, and he's a heck of a shooter. He has the ability to put the ball on the floor, and he can knock down some 3s. It's a welcome spark for our team."
