Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Kealani Sagapolu, Skylight Basketball

Injuries are a part of sports. And knee injuries seem to be an unfair part of college basketball. Often times, they can ruin a career, or at least, be a big hurdle to overcome.

But injuries can also be a spark, an awakening for a player, and that's certainly been the case for Montana State University-Northern Skylight Kealani Sagapolu.

The 5-10 power forward from Utah transferred to Northern in the summer of 2016, and her Skylights career got off to a great start. Playing on a loaded Northern squad that would eventually make its way all the way to the NAIA Sweet 16 last March Sagapolu made herself right at home and was a major contributor for the Skylights on the interior at the start of last season.

Then came the injury, the adversity so many young athletes are faced with during their career. And while it was devastating, and it was hard, Sagapolu certainly turned the negative into a positive.

"It was hard," Sagapolu, who had been averaging 10 points and five rebounds a game before the injury, said. "But I also got to see a different side of the game. Having to sit and watch, and just support my team, I think it made me a better teammate. I also learned a lot about the game, seeing it from a different viewpoint. I saw it almost how the coaches see it, and I learned so much.

"Most of all, it really helped me realize and appreciate the moment you're in," she added. "It made me so much more appreciative of being a basketball player."

While Sagapolu continues to be the consummate teammate, and one of Northern's senior leaders, she also had to overcome the injury and make sure she could return for her senior year.

"It was a lot of hard work, all summer long. Every day with trainers and coaches," she said. "I had such great support from my teammates. They really helped me. It was as much mental as it was physical, but it was definitely worth it."

And the Skylights were glad Sagapolu battled to overcome the injury, too. She's been a vital piece to a Northern team still trying to find its way this Frontier Conference season. Thus far, Sagapolu is averaging eight points and seven rebounds per night, but, it's not just her contributions on the floor that have been so big, it's her senior leadership, especially during the tough times the Skylights are going through now.

"It's hard losing," she said. "Nobody likes it. That's why it's so important we stick together. Being close, on and off the floor, sticking together and fighting together, no matter what your role is, that's how we're going to get through this."

Sagapolu and the Skylights will look to turn things around with home games against Lewis-Clark State Friday night, and UM-Western Saturday night. Friday is White-Out the Warriors, and Saturday is Black-Out the Bulldogs in the Armory Gymnasium. But before those games, here's five more questions with one of Northern's most experienced players.

HDN: You have to play against a lot of bigger post players in the Frontier. What helps you succeed?

Sagapolu: "I think you have to be a little smarter. I am smaller than a lot of players guarding me, so I have to use more moves, I have to see things differently."

HDN: The Skylights have always been such a tight-knit program. What's your experience been like since you've been a part of it?

Sagapolu: "These are friends that will be friends for life. Coach (Mouat) creates such an awesome dynamic with this program, where everybody, the players, the coaches, the community, we're all family. We all have each others' backs, we support each other. It's really special to be a part of that."

HDN: What's your favorite thing about Havre?

Sagapolu: "It's the community support. I've never played on any team that has support like we do here in Havre. It's incredible."

HDN: What's the strongest part of your game?

Sagapolu: "My left hand (laughing). It's definitely my left hand. I use it a lot."

HDN: More big games, more tough teams this weekend. How are you guys feeling going into them?

Sagapolu: "We're going to keep fighting. We won't ever give up, we'll never quit. These are two good teams, but I know coach will have us ready to play, and I think we just need to fix the little things that have hurt us. If we do that, and we just play our game, do what we do, things will get better. But we'll never stop fighting."