RECRUITING: Hard work, patience net Foothill’s Higgins ride to Hawaii

Bri Higgins faced an uncertain future when a severe knee injury cut short her junior season on the basketball court.

So Foothill’s standout power forward did one of the things she does best: she persevered.

Higgins battled down a long road to recovery, and responded with a banner senior season that netted the Falcons their first Sunrise Region title.

On Monday, the recent Foothill graduate’s patience was rewarded again, with a full scholarship offer from Hawaii. Higgins orally committed to the Warriors, and plans to visit campus the weekend of Aug. 3.

Higgins said she plans to sign a national letter of intent with the Warriors by the conclusion of her visit.

“It definitely just topped it off, made it all worth it,” Higgins said of receiving the scholarship.

Harvard, New Mexico, Delaware State and Saint Mary’s also recruited Higgins, but the 6-foot post had been waiting for an offer like the one Hawaii provided Monday over the phone.

“I was very excited and very relieved,” she said. “I love the beach, so I can’t wait to be there.”

Higgins went up to block a shot against Green Valley on Dec. 16, 2010, and wound up suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in her left knee.

“It was definitely a lot more mentally tough,” Higgins said of her recovery. “The support of family and friends, they made it a lot easier.

“Looking back on it, it was worth all the hard work.”

Higgins was a consistent double-double threat as a senior, using her polished post moves to propel Foothill (20-6) to a 14-0 record in Southeast League play.

Higgins averaged 12.8 points and 10.7 rebounds as a senior on her way to second-team all-state honors.

Foothill’s joyride season finally ended with a 59-45 loss to Reed in the Class 4A state semifinals at UNR, but the season is one the Falcons’ players will remember fondly.

“Pretty much all my best friends were on the same team, which was amazing,” Higgins said.