Sitting on the sidelines isn’t something Webster Schroeder senior Mariah Watkins is used to. The all-state basketball player is missing her senior season after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee.

"It’s been looking really different than it normally would be," said Watkins. "Returning after a state championship, I wanted to go and get another one. But that’s not what it’s looking like for me."

Instead of leading her team on the court, Watkins is learning to lead as a coach. It’s a role varsity coach Codi Mrozeck encouraged.

"She had such a big role on the court last year, we channeled that and said her words have power," said Mrozeck.

Watkins isn’t alone in her injury. Female athletes are two to eight times more likely to experience ACL injuries than males, according to research from Yale medicine.

Katie Rizzone is an associate professor at the University of Rochester medical center. She says anatomy is a big factor for these injuries.

"Hamstring and quad strength, that ratio seems to be very important for this risk of injury and women seem to have a different ratio then men," said Rizzone.

The ACL is a ligament in the knee that provides stability. Rizzone says the recovery period from tearing it is around 9-12 months.

"It’s a catastrophic injury physically, mentally and emotionally for people to be out of their sport and go through that rehab," said Rizzone.

That’s where Watkins is at now. She’s doing physical therapy twice a week, working to be back on the court after committing to play at Drexel University this fall.

As Webster-Schroder gets ready for the final games of the year, Coach Mrozeck says this season taught them all a lesson.

"Nothing is guaranteed, winning, losing it all comes with practice," said Mrozeck.