Shallowater's Molly Salinas 'at peace' with new role helping team to state tournament
SHALLOWATER — Ever since his daughter tore her ACL the first game of her sophomore year, Aaron Salinas has said a pregame prayer for protection from injury.
Seeing Molly Salinas go down hurt a second time in January left him searching for answers.
"My wife and I, although we try to be positive thinkers, you're like, 'Why?'" Aaron Salinas said. "Why does this happen to our girl who's just a great kid, who's worked hard, has done all the right things? And here we are again.
"And Molly was the strongest of the three of us."
Molly Salinas, a Shallowater senior, knew precisely what happened when she was undercut by an Idalou defender on a fast break Jan. 19. It was an unfortunate, distinct feeling she remembered from her varsity debut.
"It's such like a feeling you'll never forget," Molly said. "I just knew right at that moment that, 'Oh, well, that's my season.'"
The most veteran player and the team's leading scorer, Salinas isn't finishing her final season on the court. But she's been with the Fillies every step along their run to this week's state tournament.
With an attitude beyond her dad's comprehension, Salinas has gracefully accepted her situation — a stark contrast from her reaction as a sophomore. Part of that is maturity, Aaron said, and both agreed it stems from Molly's burgeoning faith.
"I'm more at peace this time, knowing my purpose is still there on the team, that I'm here for my teammates," Salinas said. "I'm basically one of the coaches now. … Like, it sucks, I wish I could go out there and play with my team. But my excitement for them just overcomes that sadness."
Salinas, a versatile 5-foot-10 guard, said she loses her voice almost every game supporting her teammates. She's also there to provide guidance and maybe a suggestion or two to the coaching staff.
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"I kind of use my vision because I feel like I have a pretty good IQ for basketball, since I've been playing so long," Salinas said.
Shallowater coach Kurt Richardson agrees, saying Salinas "thinks the game." Losing her took a shooter out of the lineup, but the Fillies have adjusted by upping their tempo and deploying more full-court press.
Richardson credited a collective effort for filling the void. Maggie Grimes shifted to Salinas' spot and Sidney Venable entered the starting lineup. Linley Wright, the Region I-3A tournament MVP, is part of a sophomore-guard trio that has come on as of late.
Shallowater (26-12), which will meet No. 3 Emory Rains (36-2) in the Class 3A state semifinals Thursday, has won nine in a row after topping No. 2 Tuscola Jim Ned in the region final. It's part of a 12-1 stretch since the team "cleared the air" in a heartfelt meeting.
"There wasn't very much tension, just because we all love each other," Salinas said. "… Everyone just kind of started doing their part and trusted each other and just kind of looked out for each other. We just kind of clicked and bonded a little bit more through it."
The Fillies each accepted their roles, even if Salinas' changed during that time. She's nonetheless doing her part and reveling in the success. The pride in her teammates is overflowing. Aaron Salinas said Molly looked like a "proud parent" after Saturday's win.
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"I'm just so excited for the girls," Molly Salinas said. "They've worked so hard for this. … We definitely deserve this because I've never seen a team fight as much as this team does."
It's not the expected emotion, but one Salinas helped foster with her favorite Bible verse about trusting a divine plan.
"Prayers are on our time, and his answers are on his time," Aaron Salinas said. "She really lives that."
Class 3A state tournament
at the Alamodome, San Antonio
Semifinals
Huntington (35-6) vs. Columbus (26-10), 1:30 p.m. Thursday
Emory Rains (36-2) vs. Shallowater (26-12), 3 p.m. Thursday
Final — 10 a.m. Saturday
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Shallowater's Molly Salinas leans on faith after injury changes role
