Sterling senior Macie Lofgren wasn’t sure she would even suit up again this season.

Lofgren, who is Sterling’s tallest player at 6-feet, suffered a partially torn knee ligament just a handful of games into the season.

After getting cleared for game activity this week and playing 10 minutes in Tuesday’s win at Geneseo, Lofgren made the most of her court time in Thursday night’s 50-25 Western Big 6 Conference win over visiting Alleman.

Lofgren went 3 of 3 and finished with seven points in 12 minutes played.

With her leg still in a brace, Lofgren drilled her first 3-pointer of the season in the first quarter. It resulted in a big smile on her face and a loud pop from the home crowd.

“I’ve been waiting for that, honestly,” she said. “I was feeling it, so I just shot it.”

Now in a leadership position as a senior, she has earned the green light. Lofgren was starting games early in the season before her injury.

“It’s been really hard just watching on the bench and sitting,” she said. “But I really love cheering on my teammates. So being able to go from No. 1 cheerer on the bench to coming into the games in the hard parts, it’s really a big deal to me. I honestly thought I wasn’t going to be able to come back this season.

“For all the circumstances, I’m so thankful for them,” she said of her teammates.

Lofgren still tried to contribute as much as possible during the injury.

“I hosted a team dinner when I was out,” she said. “I try to lead the team during practice, even when I couldn’t practice. It was different for me because I’ve always been kind of quieter and shy.

“I feel like I’ve stepped into this role of being like the leader and captain and it’s really been positive. Even if I was out, it still was a really good experience.”

Lofgren thought it would be a bigger challenge getting back on the court, but her teammates have helped the return. She said she was not able to jump for a long period of the absence.

“They’ve always brought me back up even if my head is down,” she said. “Even when I’m not practicing, they’re always looking out for me. It’s been really huge the role my teammates have played for me.”

Joslyn Green led the Warriors with 12 points, Nia Harris added eight and Jossy James [eight steals] had seven in Thursday’s win. Jae James had eight rebounds. It was a win-win for all as it was also one of Sterling’s Crazy for a Cure Cancer Benefit games.

“We love Macie and we’re so glad she’s back,” Harris said. “She put on a show for us tonight, so we’re excited to see how far she’ll go for the rest of the season.”

Sterling has won two straight games after challenging road losses at Byron, Quincy and Galesburg. Sterling held Alleman (12-14, 3-7) to just 11 points in the second half and grabbed 29 total turnovers.

Lofgren looks to be a welcome addition for Sterling (18-8, 6-5 Big 6) with the postseason approaching.

“She’s worked tremendously hard to come back from her injury,” Sterling coach Taylor Jackson said. “I think that she’ll make a run with us here in the end of the season.”

While Lofgren’s presence will help in the post, she is also a capable shooter.

She’s just grateful to be back on the hardwood.

“I was in the gym almost every day shooting and shooting and shooting [in the offseason],” she said. “And then five games in I get hurt, and it’s like, ‘Wow, I never get this time I’ve been working for.’

“And then now, just coming back is crazy. ... I’m just so happy for it.”

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Sterling’s Joslyn Green reaches for a pass against Alleman Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (Alex T. Paschal)