MiLeia Owens from Providence Day High School has a unique story. After an impressive four year stint on her high school varsity team, MiLeia was injured right before the start of her senior year. Owens sustained a knee injury at the beginning of the season, but that setback didn’t stop the 5’4 guard from receiving a scholarship to play at Francis Marion University.
MiLeia Owens’ High School Career As a Lady Charger
MiLeia Owens (or ‘Scrappee’ as coaches and teammates call her) was the ultimate definition of a student-athlete. She finished high school with a 4.2 GPA, was a part of the National Honor Society, and was on the Head of School List. The list goes on as far as her academics in high school, but her gameplay is what made her stand apart from others.
MiLeia Owens 5’3.5” 2020 PG
Providence Day School/Charlotte, NC
AAU: 1Dream Blue 17U
GPA: 4.0
SAT: 1200(retaking Oct 5th) https://t.co/QNgC39vTIS pic.twitter.com/n2JaYxQW4c— MiLeia Owens (@MiLeia04) September 11, 2019
The Charlotte native led her high school team in assists, steals, and charges taken during her junior year. Her freshman year she along with teammates Janelle Bailey (UNC) and Kennedy Boyd (NC A&T) led the Chargers to a state championship. As a sophomore, she earned all-second team All-Conference; and her junior year she averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.7 rebounds.
During her senior year of high school, Owens tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus at Francis Marion University Elite Camp; the school she is currently playing for. With this injury, there is always a setback, especially since Owens was not heavily recruited in high school. Despite missing the 2019-2020 season, Owens was selected for the 2020 N.C. Private School All-Star game. Though she did not get to play her senior year, the Lady Chargers did win the state championship. The 2x All-Conference player was also a 2x state champion.
Why The Marathon Continued?
The marathon is going well for the freshman as she has been cleared to play her first season. Her dedication to the game of basketball and perseverance and leadership did not go unnoticed especially her senior year, the leadership was needed for the Lady Chargers.
Owens’ story is being told now, but that does not take away from the fact that other young women in sports have gone through the exact same thing as her; from the injury to rehab to working her way back mentally and physically should be a story to tell anyone that life is a marathon and not a sprint.
Owens stated:
“My journey after being injured was not easy, but with a great support system, learning more about myself and being out of the game I love my senior year- gave me the heart and willpower to push. The most rewarding feeling was when coach Porter and her coaching staff (Walker and Vic) gave me the opportunity to continue to play. The grind has not stopped and I’m continuing to work to get better. God definitely had a plan for me and I’m more than thankful to be back on the court.”
