Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — The Nashville Hornettes’ defense of their 2A girls state basketball championship will have to be without one of their top players after senior Emma Behrmann suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Behrmann, a multi-sport standout who has signed with Ball State for track and field, suffered a torn knee ligament in the Hornettes’ 68-56 loss to Principia back on December 6.
Nashville head coach Dempsey Witte says Behrmann now has a different role with the team, as the team is tapping in to her mental ability. She sits with the coaches, keeping stats and offering game input.
The Hornettes are adjusting on the floor as well without the versatile Behrmann, who was a lockdown defender along with being the team’s leading rebounder and one of the top scorers. Led by twin sisters Samantha and Summer Brinkmann, Nashville is 2-1 since the injury, sandwiching conference wins over West Frankfort (63-15) and Benton (74-35) around a 67-53 loss to University School of Jackson out of Tennessee at the McCracken County Shootout. Players such as Bella Schmale, Claire Stiegman, and Makayla Gajeweski have all seen their roles increase as well.
Behrmann will also miss the track and field season this spring. She earned 10 state medals her first three seasons including the 1A triple jump state championship last season.
