Sunday, January 18, 1998
By SCOTT M. JOHNSON
Enterprise staff writer
TURLOCK -- Pom pons notwithstanding, Jason Cox has accepted his new role.
Two days after receiving word from a doctor that an aggravating foot injury could cost the UC Davis sophomore anywhere from two to six weeks of the men's basketball season, Cox sat in Warrior Gym feeling about as useful as a snow shovel in Davis.
``I have no say on the bench,'' Cox said Saturday before his Aggies beat Stanislaus State. ``All I can do is cheerlead and keep dummy stats.
``Look at these stats,'' he continued, pointing toward a notebook filled with phrases like defensive efficiency. ``Nobody looks at these. But I keep them diligently because that's what they ask me to do.''
As a member of the team, Cox is used to fulfilling a role. But this is different. This can be downright frustrating.
``It's like I'm a freshman all over again,'' Cox said. ``I feel like it's my redshirt year. (Friday) night wasn't that tough, because it wasn't a close game. But it will start getting tougher.''
Following an outstanding freshman year, Cox was leading the balanced Aggies in scoring (12.8 points per game) and was second in rebounding (5.4) this season. He is a big reason why UCD got off to the best start in school history and is ranked 23rd in the nation.
But it all came to a screeching halt Thursday when a doctor told Cox that the lingering pain he had felt since UCD's loss to Seattle Pacific two weeks ago was a stress fracture in his right foot.
``I thought he was kidding,'' Cox said. ``He evaluated the X-rays and was giving me some more tests, when all of the sudden he goes, `It's a stress fracture.' My stomach sunk. I didn't believe him.''
His timetable for return is based mostly on luck. With good luck, Cox could return in two weeks. He will begin electric shock treatment on the foot next week to try to speed up the healing.
But a four- to six-week return is more realistic. When pressed, Cox says he'll probably be back in mid-February, just in time for the Shaughnessy Tournament.
Now Cox can only sit and watch, his foot in a brace and clipboard in hand. Jonathan Surface, who replaced Cox in the starting lineup, and John Surina have stepped up their games in relief. But Cox would prefer being another piece to the puzzle.
``It's real important for those guys,'' Cox said. ``It's good for them. But all I can do is wait and try to come back stronger.''
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