Cookeville Lady Cavalier point guard Charlie Roby has already experienced the highest stage high school basketball can offer, and now, after weeks on the sideline, she is back on the court with a renewed focus on what is next.
Roby recently returned to practice after being sidelined with an injury since January 6, rejoining a Cookeville roster that is trending toward full health as the Cavaliers prepare for the final stretch of the regular season. The timing could not be better for a senior leader who helped guide the program through their state tournament run last year.
Roby was named All-State during Cookeville’s trip to the Glass House in Murfreesboro, where she averaged a double-double in the postseason. Roby said the honor came as a surprise.
“It really meant a lot because I really didn’t see anything like that happening for me,” Roby said. “Like this season I just haven’t been doing as well in scoring and stuff like that and I just had a switch in my mind whenever state came.”
A floor general by trade, Roby enters her senior year as Cookeville’s starting point guard and one of four seniors on the roster. Her impact often shows up beyond the box score. During the regular season, Roby has led the Lady Cavaliers in assists and steals, serving as a steady presence on both ends of the floor.
That leadership has been tested throughout the season. With as many as four players out at different points, Roby said she felt the responsibility to step up when she is on the court, keep the offense moving and help hold the group together through the grind of the schedule.
“I think it’ll be real good, I think we’ll do amazing this season,” Roby said. “We all, we’ve all experienced playing [in Murfreesboro,] and now that we’ll most likely have everybody, it’ll be a lot better.”
Roby said she has eyes on going back to the tournament and the potential for the team to grow as a result.
“Going to the Glass House was really, it was a lot of fun cause we got a lot closer as a team and being able to play on that stage with my best friends was really amazing,” Roby said. “We’re really excited to go back.”
Now healthy and back in practice, Roby said she is shifting her attention fully to her senior season, one she hopes will be defined by a deeper, stronger and more complete Cookeville team.