Canfield’s Halfhill hits 1,000 point mark

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JILLIAN HALFHILL

By ERIC HAMILTON

ehamilton@vindy.com

Canfield High basketball player Jillian Halfhill has earned plenty of game balls during her highly-decorated hoops career, but the most recent one she stashed away might be one of the most special.

The senior standout became the second player in her family to eclipse the 1,000 career points mark on Dec. 9 against North Canton Hoover. Her older sister, Brianna, who plays at the University of Chicago, accomplished the same feat two years ago in her senior season.

Jillian was honored for her milestone before the Cards’ Dec. 16 home game against Hubbard. A presentation was held prior to tip-off.

“They called me last and it was pretty cool,” said Halfhill, who has signed to play college basketball at Bowling Green State University. “It’s sort of a relief off my shoulders because now I can focus better on the team. We have a young team and they are good players, but they just don’t know it yet.

“I was shocked when Coach Pav (Pat Pavlansky) told me before the season that was close to 1,000 points. My sister got it the fifth game of her senior year and I got it in my third. We don’t really talk back and forth about that kind of stuff though. We’re like best friends.”

Halfhill chose BGSU over the likes of Michigan State and Wisconsin, something people on the outside find perplexing. But she says the decision was a pretty easy one and is looking forward to playing in her home state next winter.

“Bowling Green is better than people realize,” she said. “They just beat Vanderbilt. I’m really excited about going there. The coaches and the kids there are just like me and I’ll fit in well.”

As for the rest of Canfield’s season, Halfhill believes that despite a demanding schedule that has them starting 2-3, the Cards can go deep into tournament play again this year. Canfield won a district championship last year and advanced to the regional semifinals.

“We play a tough schedule against the top teams in the state,” said Halfhill. “But I think we’ll come together as the season goes on. I’m not as used to being the leader, because I had my sister and others in front of me. But I’m getting used to it and I’m confident we’ll get things figured out soon.”