By CALEB H.
SWALLOWS
Puxico Press
For a high school basketball player to hit 1,000 points in their high school basketball career is quite a feat and the Puxico High School Girls' Basketball team has not just one but two players to hit this incredibly, difficult goal.
Senior, Faith Oliver, and junior, Sophia Hancock, where able to hit their 1,000th point this season and continue to climb in points each and every passing game. Both players have put forth great effort and training to be able to obtain such a large number of points over their high school career.
In compiling her 1,000 points, Oliver gained the majority of her points behind the three-point line. Her accuracy and talent has given her the ability to make shots behind the arc consistently throughout each game she plays.
"It has taken a lot of patients and persistence," Oliver explained. "But the rewards of practicing and playing are definitely there."
Hancock has compiled her 1,000 points within two to three feet from the bucket. She also excels in free throws. In last season, she shot 200 free throws and her free throw average is approximately 70 percent.
"Sophia, inside, is unstoppable for us," Coach Jordan Hill explained. "When she is having a great game, she could put up to 30 points and grab 15 rebounds."
When it comes to the plans after high school, Oliver want to continue her basketball career in college.
"I do have the intention to play college basketball," Oliver explained. "I am looking into Westminster, which is where my dad attended and played basketball for."
All though these players have shown great accomplishment in their 1,000 point achievement, they both agree that this would not have been possible without their team.
"The bond between my teammates and I has helped me greatly," Hancock said. "We work the ball back and forth in each game to help each other score. I would most definitely not be where I am without them."
The girls do not plan to stop here with their goals. They both are striving to break the scoring record and also bring home a win for the second year in a row during districts. To set the bar even higher, the girls and the team want to bring home a sectionals win, also, this year.
"This has been an enjoyable season," Hill said. "As long as they are willing to share the ball and lift each other up, I believe this will continue to be a remarkable year!"