By JOHN BASSETTI

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- There was some discussion before the game whether play could be stopped to recognize Rayen's Brittney Taylor when she reached the 1,000-point mark in Monday's game against Chaney at the Cowboys' new gym.
Since the milestone was reached early in the game with the score still close, play was not interrupted.
During the first convenient dead-ball moment with Jaleesa Beverly at the foul line, an announcement was made and Taylor got a round of applause.
Taylor, who became only the second female in Rayen history to reach and exceed 1,000, didn't mind the milestone being acknowledged a minute after it actually occurred.
Instead, the 5-8 shooting guard waited until the time was right to respond in her own way.
That was in the final 1:20 of the second quarter when Chaney's Stephanie Rosa sank a 3-point goal.
On Rayen's next possession, Taylor answered with her own "3" and, seconds later, stole a pass and made a layup to punctuate the barrage in a 31-point quarter.
Rayen won easily, 70-31, with Taylor scoring a game-high 26 points.
"It's a great feeling to be one of a few in the Steel Valley Conference and in the area to get over 1,000," the junior said of her achievement that began when she was a freshman playing varsity.
She didn't actually receive a complimentary basketball until the first quarter ended.
"The ball was brought from Rayen for this occasion," Taylor said of the brief presentation near the Tigers' bench. She then sat before returning to the game at the 5:17 mark of the second quarter.
She also sat the entire fourth quarter, giving teammates an opportunity to log game minutes.
Layup does it
Taylor entered Monday's game with 997 points to her credit. She scored the game's first points on a baseline layup just 13 seconds into the battle, then got the milestone on another layup at 5:08 to put Rayen ahead for good, 6-5.
Tieara Jones assisted on the second layup.
Taylor said she's scored most of her points by driving to the basket, but she'll attempt a long-range goal if needed.
"If I have to shoot outside, I'll take it."
Taylor, who has drawn interest from several schools, including Kent State, had her career-high output of 41 points in an earlier 83-17 win over Chaney.
Taylor still has a long way to go to catch up to Rayen's only other 1,000-plus scorer, Taniesha Holland.
Holland finished with 1,856 during her senior season (2004-2005).
Rayen girls coach Tanisha Franklin was just five points shy (995) before her final high school game.
Taylor, who now has 1,023 points, said she's relieved to reach another level, especially in a Rayen uniform.
Rayen High students will be transferred to the new East High School next fall.
Didn't happen
Taylor and Rayen fans were hoping to see the 1,000 snapped in Rayen's gym last Saturday, but a scheduling miscommunication nixed the game against Mount DeChantal of West Virginia.
DeChantal, however, is now scheduled to play at Rayen this Saturday at 6 p.m. in a varsity-only affair.
Franklin called Monday's game "ugly" offensively because the Tigers didn't use their defense to create offense.
"Our offense started very slow," she said. "It was kind of hard getting motivated," Franklin said, implying that her girls were more focused anticipating the big moment for their teammate.
Jones, a University of Buffalo signee, added 21 points for Rayen (9-2, 3-0), while Alyssa Sykes and Stephanie Rosa had seven points apiece for Chaney (3-11, 0-3).
Taylor had three 3-point goals and Jones one for the Tigers, who made 25 goals and 17 of 31 free throws to Chaney's nine goals and 11 of 20 foul shots.
bassetti@vindy.com