Stacia Robertson’s return, sights set on NCAA berth
By Steven Wetherill, Staff Writer //
When the game clock struck 0:00 on March 20, 2014, it was supposed to signify the passing of the torch for the women’s basketball team.
Seniors Stacia Robertson and Taylor Tremblay had played their final game. It was time for Big South Freshman of the Year Kaylah Keys and Big South All-Freshman DeAnneisha Jackson to lead the young Panthers team en route to their conference title defense.
In the wake of their departure was Robertson’s team leading 250 rebounds, 76 steals and 60 blocks. Despite being sidelined with a knee injury, Tremblay was taking her 13.4 ppg, which was best on the team before her injury.
But for one, the fire never died.
Robertson graduated in May with a degree in exercise science and attended a WNBA scouting camp during the Final Four, which she called an “amazing opportunity.” Even though she didn’t get the call to play overseas, she would soon realize her perceived misfortune would become a blessing in disguise.
While most would assume that she left school, focusing on the next chapter, Robertson never actually left High Point; her parents live just a few minutes from campus.
So while her former teammates were participating in summer sessions on campus, Robertson would meet up with them on the weekends or play a few pick-up games.
“As the summer progressed, she’s staying around the offices a little and I’m seeing her on campus…it just didn’t quite add up,” said head coach DeUnna Hendrix.
That’s when reality delivered its left hook.
“It was really hard thinking I may not be with them again,” said Robertson.
Roberston, who only had one more year of eligibility because she didn’t agree to any professional contract, saw her desire to play again as another great opportunity.
One day in late July she approached Hendrix and discussed she still had an interest in returning. Robertson went home that night, discussed it with her parents and came back the next day certain she wanted to play one more year.
Luckily for her, Tremblay had declined her last year of eligibility, which left one more scholarship up for grabs.
But for the first time in her career, Robertson wouldn’t be handed the scholarship. Hendrix, who had been planning a season without her star forward, asked her players to decide if they wanted her back on the team.
“My initial response should’ve been, ‘Absolutely, there’s no question,’ but as we decided to move on without her I really wanted to get the team’s response,” Hendrix said.
The vote was unanimous.
Paired with the vote came another unfamiliar spot for Robertson; she wasn’t guaranteed a starting position.
“We have so much depth this year with post players and guards, so our starting five could be anybody right now,” said Robertson.
Hendrix is happy Robertson is bringing back her on-the-court presence, but it is the extra mile during practice and off-the-court demeanor that makes Robertson’s return that much sweeter.
“She’s an ultimate face of a program, an example leader and she’s going to call people out and hold each other accountable,” said Hendrix, “it takes a lot of pressure off of the coaches because she’s coaching the team for us.”
For Robertson, last year’s regular-season championship was great, but there’s still one more objective to be accomplished.
“We never really got to the goal that we’ve wanted, to go to the NCAA tournament,” said Robertson. “I’m still very hungry for that.”