FOXBURG — The time Olivia Boocks spent on the bench last season, unable to play the sport she loved because of a knee injury, served her well — in an odd sort of way.

The burning she felt to get back onto the court better than she was before was a source of strength and motivation for her.

The desire to make an impact during her senior year for the A-C Valley girls basketball team brought her immense skill into sharp focus.

“If anyone could come back better than they were,” said A-C Valley girls basketball coach Dave Sherman, “it was her.”

Boocks had already turned in another stellar volleyball season for the Falcons, earning her second consecutive spot on the all-state team.

But it was the 5-foot-7 guard's wish to return to form on the basketball court that was in the forefront of her mind this winter.

“I think what happened was I had a lot more motivation this year,” Boocks said. “After sitting out over half a season, I think I realized how important this was to me.”

Boocks is averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game for A-C Valley (17-3), which will play North Clarion Friday at Keystone High School for the KSAC championship at 7 p.m.

She's part of a “three-headed monster” as Sherman calls it this season along with Cami McNany and Kylee Eaton.

McNany is leading the team in scoring at 13.4 points per game and Eaton is averaging 12.1 points and 11.6 rebounds.

“It's awesome to play with them,” Boocks said. “I always know no matter what if I pass it to them, 99.9 percent of the time it's going to go into the hoop or be a good shot.”

Boocks is certainly the catalyst as the point guard and teams know exactly how dangerous she has become.

A-C Valley's opponents have crafted exotic defenses to try to contain her.

All that does is motivate Boocks.

“It makes me want to score even more,” she said.

At first Sherman admitted he was wary of Boocks' knee, wondering if the injury cost her a step.

With her speed an important part of her game, Boocks was also concerned that the meniscus tear — and subsequent complications that arose from the surgery to try to repair it — would affect her play.

Those concerns were quickly dashed.

“She hasn't lost a step at all,” Sherman said. “She's as fast as she ever was. She's so important for us because she draws so much attention. She does a good job creating and if teams try to take her away, she gives opportunities to others.

“On offense and defense she's tenacious,” Sherman added. “She's all over the place.”

It was important to Boocks that she was able to play with that style again coming off the injury.

“It was an eye-opener,” Boocks said. “Honestly, I went into the season with the mindset that I was going to take it game by game.”

Healthy and having turned in stellar seasons on the volleyball and basketball courts, Boocks may be poised to for another big season in third sport.

Track and field.

She missed all of track season last spring as she recovered and rehabilitated the knee.

“Track's not really my favorite sport ever — I do it to stay in shape and push myself,” Boocks said. “Track is a sport where you have to push yourself because no one else can. I think that motivation from volleyball and basketball will carry over.”

Boocks wants to play Division II basketball in college and has gotten some interest from Clarion University.

“That would be my ultimate goal,” Boocks said. “I was super excited when I heard from them.”

Boocks can't control what offers she gets for basketball. She has gotten some interest in volleyball as well.

Sherman said he thinks Boocks can play at the Division II level.

“She's a Division II talent,” he said.