HICKORY, N.C. - Growing up, basketball was a way of life for Autumn Dykstra.
But in a flash, it was nearly all taken away.
Dykstra suffered a serious shoulder injury that resulted in three surgeries including a complete repair of her bone socket.
That could have forced the freshman from Maquoketa to give up the sport for good. Instead, it only made her strong.
Dykstra and the Iowa Central women will hit the court here Thursday against either Johnson County or Grand Rapids in the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Div. II National Tournament at 8 p.m. The Tritons received a forfeit after Macomb was unable to participate.
"I spent the last two years fighting a battle with my left shoulder," Dykstra said. "I've had it repaired three times with the third surgery being of the hardest I'd have to go through. Not only was my labrum completely torn, but I had to have my bone socket completely reconstructed.
"I have three anchors and two screws holding my shoulder together."
Dykstra finished out her high school season at Maquoketa, scoring over 300 points as a senior despite the injuries.
"Having these surgeries worried me because I've lived for basketball my entire life and I wasn't ready to give up and be done with it," she said. "My doctor reassured me that I would be able to play and should be stronger than ever. My recoveries were very hard and emotional but were also so rewarding.
"They've not only made me mentally stronger but physically too. I don't think I would be the player I am today without going through this life-changing event."
As the Tritons put together a seven-game win streak near the end of the season on their way to claiming a regional title, Dykstra found her groove. She scored in double figures in four straight games, including a career-high 16 in a win at Des Moines Area.
On the season, Dykstra is averaging eight points per game, four rebounds and two assists, shooting over 44 percent from the field and nearly 49 percent from the 3-point line.
"I wore a sully shoulder brace to practice and games until about halfway through my season here," she said. "My doctor told me once I felt like I had built up a lot of strength in my shoulder, I could lose the brace and play without it. Ever since, I haven't really had any problems with it."
Dykstra and Iowa Central will now compete among the final 16 teams in the nation in hopes of securing a national title.
"It feels like a dream to me," she said. "As a little girl, it's been my dream to play at state or nationals. Now that this is happening, I can't put into words how exciting it is.
"This team is one of the most talented and hardest-working teams I've ever been a part of and I can't wait to step in that gym and play hard with them."
-By Dana Becker