Winford better after concussion (Basketball)
Can a concussion make you a better player?
That seems to be the case with Anchorage’s Kevin Winford, who has become a different dude since the 5-foot-11 guard suffered a head injury. He has emerged as a double-digit scorer for Eastern Washington University since returning.
Early on, his 5-point scoring average (4-11 FGs) in the first two games indicated a freshman adjusting to the faster D-1 level. Then he suffered a concussion during the Washington State game and sat out the next two games.
Winford, of Bartlett High fame, returned to the court Nov. 24 against Boise State and logged 14 minutes, making 1 of 5 shots for two points.
Once the cobwebs cleared, he has eaten up the competition.
In the last two games—including an 89-61 win over Walla Walla University on Monday—Winford has averaged 10 points on 8-of-18 shooting. He bagged a season-high 11 points and played season-high 26 minutes in this week’s win, showing no ill effects of the concussion.
Eastern Washington has been sacked by setbacks all season, dressing as few as eight players for games because of ankle and hamstring injuries, the swine flu and Winford’s concussion.
Despite all the adversity, though, the Eagles have a respectable record of 3-4 entering Big Sky Conference play Friday against Portland State.
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