STEPHENVILLE — Coming off a sophomore campaign that saw her earn all-state honors from the Texas Girls Coaches Association, Stephenville post Alee McClendon came into the 2019-20 season facing big expectations. 

And a month into the season, she was delivering on it, averaging 11.2 points and 8.2 rebounds on a balanced, talented Stephenville roster with multiple scoring options.  

Then it happened: While playing against Burnet in the third-place game of Fredericksburg’s Battlin’ Billie Classic on Dec.14, McClendon was  bumped from behind after jumping in the paint. An awkward landing resulted in a torn ACL, a partially torn LCL and additional tears on her meniscus. 

Her season? Over.

Her teammates? In stunned silence.