Stacia Fester's spine (right) was straightened with two titanium rods and 20 screws, helping to reverse some of the effects of idiopathic thoracic scoliosis (left).
Courtesy photos
It's normal basketball practice and
Stacia Fester gets into her defensive stance to guard a teammate.
As she bends her knees and crouches, she inevitably winces.
Churubusco (Ind.) girls basketball coach Dusty Beucler can tell when Fester's back hurts. But his senior leader will never complain. She'll partake in every drill just like any other player.
Fester doesn't seek pity from her coaches or want be treated any differently.
Fester has kept basketball as her only sport.
Courtesy photo
"If anything, they just push me harder knowing what I've been through, and just showing me that I can succeed after this," Fester said.
Fester has been dealing with back pain for 5 1/2 years after being diagnosed with idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. She had to undergo spinal fusion surgery in June 2013 after her eighth-grade year. Constant pain while competing in sports forced her to go from a three-sport athlete down to her one true love, basketball.
"When I first met her and found out everything that had happened, what she'd gone through, I was blown away," said Beucler, who is in his fourth year as coach. "With myself, I've had two back surgeries, so I know how hard that is. If she needed an excuse not to be able to do something, there would be no doubt she could have one. But she has never once said a word about it, never been a crutch or anything like that. It's, ‘Well, I'll figure it out. I'll do better.'"
Learn more about the MaxPreps US Marines program at www.maxpreps.com/marinesThe pain has never stopped Fester's determination and drive on the court.
"She's all over the floor, she's diving," Beucler said. "It just takes her a little bit longer sometimes to get up. It's never been, ‘I just can't do it because of my back.'"
It's not unusual for Fester to play an entire varsity game and not sit on the bench. She's a warrior and needed every second on the floor. Fester leads her team in points (12.7), steals (2.5) and assists (1.8). The 5-foot-5 guard is also second in blocks (.4) and third in rebounds (3.6).
Fester started having back pain in middle school and received her diagnosis in July 2011. The scoliosis had caused a 32-degree curvature, so Fester spent about 16 hours a day in a back brace for 14 months. While the curvature was still progressing, Fester was informed in January 2013 she would need to undergo surgery. The nearly five-hour procedure was a success, as the doctor attached two 14-inch titanium rods and 20 screws to her spine.
Fester has a scar on her back that extends nearly from her shoulder blades down to her lower back. It's a constant reminder of what she's endured.
She had to stay away from activities for three months before being cleared in November 2013 to return to sports.
"I've always been active, and once I found out, I didn't know what to do without sports, so it really hurt," Fester said. "That just made me more determined to get back into it afterwards and just to work harder."
The guard leads her team in scoring.
Courtesy photo
Fester competed in volleyball, basketball and track as a freshman. She competed in leagues in volleyball that summer, but when fall rolled around she had to quit volleyball because her back pain was too much. She tried cross country that same season, but running caused even worse pain. Fester stuck with basketball and track as a sophomore, but realized basketball was the only sport where she could handle the immense pain.
Fester wanted to make sure she was able to compete in at least one sport. Scoliosis wasn't going to take away all her athletic dreams.
"It was very important," she said. "I'm very determined in what I do, so losing two sports definitely hurt me. I really wanted to keep this one and just focus on one at least, so I had something. It just helps me get through the day knowing I have basketball practice or a game."
Fester had a strong junior campaign, averaging 6.5 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. The 17-year-old is a captain this season and the team's leader, certainly earning the respect of her teammates for what she's gone through off the court.
"I've felt a lot of pressure this year, so that's definitely been hard," Fester said. "My teammates are so encouraging on me."
Despite having surgery 3 ½ years ago, Fester still fights pain. She generally takes Ibuprofen before a game, applies Biofreeze pain reliever in-game to loosen up her back and puts on ice after.
As hard-working and dedicated as Fester is on the court, her work in the classroom is just as noteworthy. She ranks in the top 10 in her class of around 100 students, and currently has a 3.9 GPA.
Her experience as a patient has pushed Fester to
seek a career in the medical field.
Courtesy photo
"She is extremely hard on herself – as a student, holy cow," Beucler said. "Basketball-wise, she's hard on herself. If she misses a shot she's like, ‘Dang, I should have had that.' She's one of those who thinks you should be able to shoot 100 percent. I tell her that it's not going to happen. In the classroom, it's studying even when you don't have to."
Fester is active in plenty of clubs in school, including National Honor Society, student council, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the Spanish Club.
"I like being involved in the school and just like helping out the community and just being a leader for the younger ones in the classroom as well instead of just on the court," Fester said.
Fester is also extremely involved in her church and volunteers with grace ministries, which serves children with disabilities.
"I got into that this year because last year in school I helped out in the special needs room, which I loved," Fester said. "It's something I love to do and I'm very passionate about."
Fester spends an hour with children and helps them better understand Sunday school lessons, teaches her own lessons and partakes in other activities. She loves to make an impact in people's lives and in turn they make a positive impact on her life, too.
"Most of them are always happy and they always have a smile on their face," Fester said.
Fester plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, in the fall. She is hoping to major in biology pre-med, wanting to become a physician's assistant specializing in orthopedics working with spines.
Having battled through scoliosis has certainly shaped Fester's professional career path.
"Everyone was so nice to me in the building and encouraging when I was struggling with knowing I have to get the surgery," Fester said. "And I love looking at all my X-rays and stuff, and my physician's assistant was my favorite person there. She was very encouraging, she was so happy, and she made an impact on my life. That's what I want to do for other people."
Know an incredible student-athlete who stands out in sports and in life away from competition? Click here to nominate them for a chance to be featured on MaxPreps.
