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McDonald’s Stanley celebrates Senior Night with 1,000th point
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McDonald’s Taylor Stanley (21) pushes through Mineral Ridge defenders to take a shot during the first period of Wednesday’s game in McDonald. Stanley, a senior, scored her 1,000th career point in the Blue Devils’ 44-31 win over the Rams.
By Brandon Judeh
MCDONALD
It was an ordinary pass and score in Wednesday’s second quarter of the McDonald girls basketball team’s 44-31 win over Mineral Ridge, but it was the most exciting basket.
Blue Devils senior Taylor Stanley received a pass on the right wing; she squared, fired and scored. The crowd erupted, the game was stopped and the celebration began for Stanley’s 1,000th career point.
“I’m not going to lie, it feels great, it’s pretty nice to have 1,000 points,” Stanley said. “As soon as I got the dish off the screen I knew I was going to hit the shot, it was just one of those things.”
Making it even more special was the fact that she accomplished the feat in her final home game, as it was Senior Night.
“I came in here as a 14-year-old freshman not really thinking I was going to start my first year and eventually score 1,000 points,” Stanley said. “This is definitely my biggest moment.”
Stanley received the game ball during the stoppage and immediately ran over to her coaches and teammates to hug and celebrate. She then ran into the stands to share a moment with her family.
McDonald head coach Rob Hilbun said that when Stanley hit the bucket he was so excited that, for a second, he felt like he was out on the court with her.
“Taylor is a total team player, she tries to get everyone involved, she was more focused on winning tonight rather than reaching her milestone, which is a true testament to the kind of player and person she is,” Hilbun said.
The crowd was fired up from the start — every time Stanley touched the ball the fans would erupt. But Stanley showed she was zeroed in on winning by distributing the ball often, especially to teammate and close friend Paige Eckman.
“I don’t even know how to explain it, I am so excited for her, she has worked so hard,” Eckman said. “We have been playing together since sixth grade and I was so nervous all day thinking about this, I just wanted to keep getting her the ball.”
After the excitement died down, the game resumed with 2:22 left in the second period and McDonald put their foot on the accelerator and never let up. The Blue Devils (11-7) went into the locker room with a 12-point lead.
The second half was sloppy as both teams combined to score only 31 points. Eckman led the Blue Devil attack with six three-pointers and 22 points, Stanley added 12, and Alyssa Streb controlled the glass with 14 rebounds.
The Rams’ (3-16) top performers were Abby Riffee with 11 points and Chasity Digman with six points and nine rebounds.
Now that all the hoopla of 1,000 points is out of the way, Stanley says she is focused squarely on making a nice run in the tournament.
“I think we definitely have a chance to make a run in the playoffs, I am hoping we can get it done.”