CHERRY TWP — Jake Jewart would like nothing more than to be out on the basketball court with his Moniteau teammates.

That isn't possible because of a torn ACL suffered just weeks before the season was set to start.

The painful blow was two-fold. Not only will Jewart miss his senior year on the hardwood for the Warriors, but his baseball season is also in jeopardy.

“There's days I wake up and I still think it's just going to be OK and I'll be able to play like nothing happened,” Jewart said. “That it was maybe just a dream.”

More like a nightmare.

It was a simple play. Jewart went up for an uncontested layup and landed awkwardly.

His knee buckled. He heard a pop. He feared the worst.

Then the depression set in.

“It was a real hard time,” Jewart said.

Jewart averaged eight points, five assists and three rebounds per game last season as Moniteau surged into the playoffs.

To make matters worse, the Warriors were gelling on the court before the injury.

“We were looking real good,” Jewart said. “We were really coming together as a team.”

Moniteau has struggled at times this season and entered the holiday break with a 2-6 record.

But Jewart has refused to wallow in self pity. Instead of sulking, he decided to help the team any way he could.

That's come in the form of being an extra coach for Moniteau this season.

He instructs during practice. He pulls aside his teammates and gives them constructive criticism.

And, for the most part, he says, they listen.

“It's difficult sometimes,” Jewart said. “But they respect me and they listen to me. That's the most important part. I think I've earned their respect.”

Coaching isn't a foreign concept to Jewart. His father, Mike, has been basketball coach for as long as Jake can remember.

Mike is currently the junior varsity coach for Moniteau under head coach Jerry Day.

“I've been around basketball for a long time,” Jake Jewart said. “Since I was in preschool I remember going to practices with him.”

Jewart had surgery not long after the injury and has already begun rehab.

It's an arduous process and the hardest part for Jewart is remain patient.

“It's rough,” he said. “I got two-plus hours and three days a week. It's a big commitment and it hurts.”

But he has his sights set on something bigger.

Returning to the baseball field in a few month.

That's still up in the air. It all depends on how his knee responds to the rehab.

“I do not know yet,” Jewart said. “I may be able to play half the year.”

Jewart led the baseball team last spring with a .426 average, four doubles and 15 RBI last season while playing a variety of positions.

Even if he can come back this year, he'll be restricted to the outfield.

“The doctors said that would be best for me because there's less cutting and quick movements like there would be in the infield,” Jewart said.

He doesn't care. He just wants to come back.

For now, though, he's doing the best he can as a coach, a teammate and an example of perseverance.

“Doing what I'm doing definitely helps,” Jewart said. “I'm doing something to help the team and that makes me feel good.”