Nolan Berry Back On The Court Thanks To Physical Therapy

The cynical view one could have taken when De Smet Jesuit forward Nolan Berry fractured both arms in a pre-season basketball pratice might go something like this: Take it slow, take it easy, don't worry about this season, especially with a letter of intent already signed and sealed to play in college at Butler University.

Tracy Fober, a Creve Coeur strength coach who owns Iron Maven Physical Health & Performance located just outside Creve Coeur's Light Industrial District, had worked with Berry since his freshman year. Even she allowed that at first, she subscribed to the idea that this season could be a lost cause before deciding to "bust our booty" to make this season happen and to do everything they could to ensure he was ready for what's to come in college next fall.

Fober blogged about her work bringing Berry back

The 6-8 forward made a remarkable medical recovery, able to get back in action in January, but for Fober, there were still concerns: Getting back to the court was only part of the equation. Berry still had to regain the strength needed to protect himself in the event that he fell, made contact or otherwise did what a basketball player might do.

"Would he regain the motion necessary to play basketball at a high level, I was very fearful of that," she said late last month. Using a program that puts an emphasis on flexibility and weight training under the mantra of “No tricks no gimmicks, just exercise,” it appears her job has been successful.

Berry is averaging 20.9 points and has more than 2 blocks a game on the season. He's also endured some of the more physical games of the season, including a home tilt against Chaminade that left him with a bloody nose afterward, plus a matchup against Missouri Baptist against a rugged Hazelwood Central team.

After a recent win against another Iron Maven client, Vianney's Sean O'Brien, Berry said the work he's done with Fober will help after his days at De Smet Jesuit are done and he's battling with the Bulldogs at Butler.

“She helps you not just with getting bigger but a lot of things that’ll make you better on the basketball court,“ he said.

Berry and his Spartan teammates finish up the regular season Friday at CBC, with district play at Parkway Central, which could mean matchups with Pattonville and a rematch with CBC.