IN EXCESS of 15 months ago, Tom Fary was facing a gruelling rehabilitation schedule.
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He’d launched into a contest in school football, before landing and hearing his knee go underneath him.
One week later, he was told he’d damaged his anterior cruciate ligament and was consigned to surgery and a rehabilitation program stretching out for all of one year.
“I spent a while on the sidelines but it’s good to be back out there,” Fary said.
“It’s such a long time frame to get back out there and for a lot of the time, you’re doing rehab by yourself.
“I did a bit of everything (in rehab). There was a bit of running, a bit of gym work.”
However, Fary’s long road back to fitness is paying dividends.
The 19-year-old made a triumphant return to competition in the Seahawks first round of the Country Basketball League, playing the final minutes of Warrnambool’s loss to Corio a fortnight ago.
But it was the following day when Fary made his mark.
He dropped a team-high 16-points, making four shots from beyond the arc to accumulate 12 points from three-pointers.
Now, Fary’s Seahawks are gearing up for a weekend double-header against Mount Gambier and the Stawell Wildcats.
The administration gap-year worker said he was thrilled to back on the court.
“Hopefully we can get a few wins on the board throughout this season and then look forward to hopefully playing finals,” he said.
“I’ve played the CBL a little bit before this season – in 2014. Last year, at the start of the year before last, I played mainly in the youth league before a few games with the Seahawks (Big V).
“It was a bit tough watching from the sidelines this year, especially when they won. But that just makes you a little bit more hungry I guess.”
Fary said he would weigh up his options next year before vying for a place with the Seahawks Big V outfit.
He said he had plans to relocate for university study.
The versatile guard was optimistic about the Seahawks’ chances in the CBL despite two losses in the opening round of competition. Their task against Mount Gambier is set to prove challenging, with the Lakers occupying third spot in the south-west CBL after a rousing 42-point victory over the Millicent Magic in round one.
Stopping former South Australia Country and SEABL shooting guard Kane De Wit will be high on their list of priorities, after the 20-year-old bagged 36 points in the Lakers’ first round of play.
The Terang Tornadoes will return to play in a south-west derby against the Seahawks next weekend after a bye on Saturday.
The Seahawks’ clash with Mount Gambier is set to begin at 8pm on Saturday, while they will play Stawell at 2pm on Sunday at St Josephs.
