Southern Indiana basketball player helps team win sectional title months after losing 2 fingers

They were able to save his thumb, pinky and ring finger on his right hand, but he lost his index and middle finger.

AUSTIN, Ind. (WDRB) — A senior basketball player at Austin High School never thought he would play the game again after he lost two fingers in a freak accident.

On May 16, 2025, Brayden Konkler and his dad Josh Konkler decided to shoot off fireworks, something they do regularly. This time, something went wrong.

"I lit it and went to throw it like you always do and when it blew up my ears started ringing and I knew that I hadn't let go," said Brayden Konkler.

It was clear to them that Brayden's hand was severely damaged by the firework.

"He said, 'dad my life is over' and he repeated that a couple times and I said, 'no it's not, I'm here, everything is fine,'" Josh Konkler said.

Once they got to the hospital, he went into surgery. They were able to save his thumb, pinky and ring finger on his right hand, but he lost his index and middle finger.

"There's a lot of guilt that comes along with being a dad when your child gets hurt and you're a part of it," said Josh Konkler.

Brayden has played basketball his entire life, and was going into his senior season playing for the Austin Eagles.

"My initial thought was that I wasn't going to be able to play," he said.

He didn't for the first five games of the season. At that point, Austin's record was 1-4 and head coach Brent Jameson said he sent a Hail Mary text to Brayden telling him he was the missing piece to the team.

"I think we all knew he could still contribute in a big way and I think he just had to figure that out," said Jameson.

Finally, Brayden came around and when Austin played top-ranked Paoli on Dec. 19, he took the court for the first time since the accident.

"When I checked in, I got a standing ovation so that was really cool for me," Brayden said.

He said when he first started trying to play again it was painful, but then it became muscle memory.

"I remember telling the coaches, 'I don't understand how I'm shooting, but it just feels normal,'" said Brayden.

Austin only lost the game to Paoli, who is still undefeated, by one point. Since then, the Eagles have won 15 of their last 18 games, along with a sectional title.

"Growing up, playing basketball and then making it to my senior year and winning a sectional championship, it's everything I dreamed of as a little kid," Brayden said.

"BK was asking, telling us he wanted a sectional championship so after the game I went over and hugged him and told him that we'd get him one," said Brayden's teammate Micah Mohler.

Now, Brayden and his team get to compete for a regional title on Saturday.

"I really just want to show people that you can go through hard things in life, but bounce back," Brayden said.

The Austin Eagles play Forest Park High School March 14 at Charlestown High School at 1 p.m. for the regional championship.