WYOMING, Mich. — A packed crowd at Potter's House High School got to witness a kind of history that not many basketball fans get to see.
With under six minutes to go, the game was tied. Hart's Addi Hovey stole the ball at midcourt and took it the other way to give the Pirates a 45-43 lead. It also made her a 1,000-point scorer. The officials called a timeout to give Hovey a chance to celebrate with her teammates and pose for a picture.
"I think definitely with my teammates helping me out, they knew I was getting close and right after I got it they were really excited for me and I was really happy for that," Hovey said.
As the game went on, it was clear that Hart was going to leave the metro area with a win. But Anyieth Nhial from Potter's House was just shy of the 1,000 point mark. So with under a second left on the clock, Hart head coach Travis Rosema called a timeout and called off his defense.
"There at the last minute with time running out, it went through our heads that we wanted to play with pride and play defense, but at the same time, it was possible for [Nhial] to get it on her home court in front of the student section," Rosema said.
Nhial made a shot as the final buzzer sounded and she was swarmed in celebration by her classmates, who were excited for her though the Pumas had fallen 54-47.
"I didn't want to get it that way, but it means a lot - just a lot of competing. I really wanted it. I went for it. I'm very happy with the outcome. I just hope that we make a good playoff run. That's the next thing to focus on right now," said Nhial whose Pumas will face Calvin Christian in the first round of the playoffs.
After the game, both players posed together to celebrate their unlikely milestone night together.
"That's amazing. It's so unusual, two girls from opposing teams getting 1,000 points. I think it just shows how much work she's putting in," Hovey said.
Nhial expressed mutual admiration for Hovey.
"It felt good to just compete with someone who is going to do good things at the next level. I know what she's capable of, especially seeing her play in AAU. I'm very happy that she got to have that moment. I'm happy to share it with someone like that," she said.
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