Lake Forest’s Lauren Richards took the first step toward a long varsity career when she made the team as a freshman two years ago.

But injuries have held Richards back in each of her two seasons.

The junior guard is hopeful the third time is the charm.

“This season should be injury-free for me,” she said. “I’m super excited just to play hard and play with my friends.”

The 5-foot-6 Richards, who averaged 5.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steal in 23 games for the Scouts (23-11) last season, is a quick, strong, lockdown defender when she’s healthy. Achilles and ACL injuries have limited that time.

“It was frustrating,” she said. “It’s a mental game too. But you have to overcome that and just realize the big picture.”

The injuries started when Richards suffered microtears in her left Achilles as a result of a bone spur during her freshman season. She played with the pain and had surgery after the season.

“It wasn’t severe enough to rupture anything,” she said. “So I just kept playing through.”

Last season, Richards hyperextended her left knee and suffered a sprained ACL.

“I tried to play through it,” she said.

But Richards’ sharp knee pain was too intense. She said doctors advised her to sit out a month to allow her knee to heal.

With Richards sidelined, the Scouts learned how much she meant to them.

“We always put her on the other team’s best guard,” Lake Forest coach Stacey Leach said. “Without her on the floor, our intensity and our defensive ability dramatically changed.

“It was really hard not having her. We had to find other ways defensively and rely on other players. You get used to relying on her.”

Richards’ teammates felt the loss too.

“We had to work around having her gone,” Lake Forest senior Adah Bodine said. “Different people had to guard different positions. It was definitely tough.”

But Richards has proved to be more than just a defensive stopper.

“Lauren is always pushing everyone to be their best,” Bodine said. “And at the same time, if I’m ever confused, she’s the first person I’ll ask for help. She’s a good teacher. She’s just a very positive and dependable person.”

Richards returned to the court in time for the Scouts’ playoff run, which included a Class 3A regional title.

“That was a surreal moment,” she said. “I worked really hard to get back and play. So to have that moment with those seniors, who I love, I’ll remember forever.”

Richards wasn’t in the clear yet, however.

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“I hyperextended the knee again (in June),” she said. “I had to start all over and strengthen my quad, hamstring and calf.”

Richards said she finally feels healthy as the Scouts prepare for their season opener against Lake Forest Academy on Monday.

“In the long run, taking the time to step back and heal myself was best for me,” she said. “Now I’m super excited for this season. I get to play again with my old teammates from when I was younger.”

Leach said she’s eager to watch Richards step into the spotlight as a leader.

“She’s always led by example,” Leach said. “Now we’ll rely on her more to be a vocal leader. She has to step out of her comfort zone a little to fill that role. She has to handle the fact that more pressure is going to be thrown her way.

“Whenever she hits the floor, a mental switch clicks on for her, and she knows when she needs to turn it on.”

Sam Brief is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.