Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Kassidy Compton, Havre Basketball

There's not a lot of people who would attempt to play basketball with a torn ACL. But then again, there aren’t many people who love basketball as much as Kassidy Compton does.

And so despite suffering a catastrophic injury before her junior season of basketball for the Havre Blue Ponies, Compton decided to play, even though she knew it was going to be difficult and that it was going to hurt.

“The doctor told me it’s not something a lot of people do,” Compton said, “but, he said, you can do it. It just takes a lot of mental toughness and you really have to want it. But I knew that I wasn’t going to play beyond high school and you only get four years of high school and I didn’t want to miss one.”

After all, Compton started playing organized basketball in the second grade and soon, she started to play traveling basketball, and from that point on, she devoted herself to the game, so not playing really wasn’t an option.

“There was some pain during the games,” Compton said. “I definitely couldn’t do some of the things that I used to do. I was a little slower and it would swell up a lot. I had to use a lot of ice and took a lot of Advil. But I had some really great support from my coaches. They worked with me and helped me get through it and if I needed a break or anything, they would understand.”

So Compton stuck it out and decided to delay surgery until after the season so she could play. That allowed her to be part of the Ponies Class A state championship team that finished with a perfect 24-0 record.

But following her surgery, Compton had to go through the grueling rehabilitation process which didn’t exactly go smoothly to start.

“I was allergic to an adhesive that they used on me,” Compton said. “And then the wound didn’t heal as fast as it was supposed to, so I couldn’t really do anything on it or bend it for about a month and a half longer than I was supposed to. But my coaches really worked with me and they gave me some lifts I could do to strengthen it. I just tried to kick it in gear and go with it.”

Go with it she has. So far this season, Compton has played in all 12 games for the Ponies and is averaging 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds, while also averaging more than one steal and one assist per game.

So far the 2018-19 season could not be going any better for the Ponies, who are 12-0 and have already clinched the Central A regular season title. Compton, one of the few seniors on the team has been a key piece off the bench for HHS and the Havre Daily News caught up with her for five questions.

HDN: What is it like thinking this is your last season of high school basketball?

Compton: “Yeah, it’s crazy to think this will be my final year. I started in second grade and started on the travel team when I was in third grade. It’s crazy to think of all the work that you put into it.”

HDN: What are your goals for this season?

Compton: “I just want to play up to the best of my abilities and just try to do the best that I can.

HDN: What is your plan for after high school?

Compton: “I am definitely going to go to Northern. I think I am going to go into nursing but I am not 100 percent sure.”

HDN: What has it been like playing for the Ponies?

Compton: “It’s been great. I will always remember just the family atmosphere. We have a lot of really close relationships and not every team has that. I think we have a great group of girls and we have even done things like going to Kraske’s for a team dinner, so those will be some of my best memories. I just really like that family atmosphere.”

HDN: What was it like to be part of an undefeated state championship team?

Compton: “That was one of the best things I have experienced. Last year, I wasn’t playing a lot but it never really felt like that. Everyone really likes everyone and so it was pretty cool to be part of that team.