Throughout this high school basketball season, there have been numerous players that have attained the 1,000 career-point milestone. However, to see two teammates achieve it on the same night is one thing that doesn’t happen often.
Aaliyah Parker and Mia McCarthy from the Cardinal O’Hara Lady Hawks both hit the milestone in their 70-53 win over the Williamsville South Lady Billies Friday night. Parker, who came into the game with 997 career points, got to the career-mark by hitting a three-pointer along the left wing early in the first quarter.
A couple minutes into the second quarter the Lady Hawks’ Jade Rutledge grabbed a rebound and hit an outlet pass to McCarthy, who then made her first three of the game in the same spot Parker did to tie the game at 13. That shot pushed McCarthy’s career-point total to 1,001.
Play was then stopped for a couple minutes as McCarthy and Parker celebrated their achievement in front of a packed home crowd. Lady Hawks head coach Nick O’Neil was proud to see the two juniors make the milestone.
“They’re hard workers. They put a lot of time and effort into this. They’re two good kids with really bright futures,” O’Neil said.
After the game, Parker and McCarthy went on to mention that they wanted to hit this milestone as soon as they could so their attention could be focused on the rest of the game. Parker went on to have 24 points on the night; McCarthy scored 20 points with five shots hitting beyond the arc.
Once the celebration ended the game resumed and both squads battled it out all the way until the fourth quarter. McCarthy hit some big three’s in the fourth to push her team out in front.
Williamsville South’s Amari DeBerry fouled out late in the game, which then opened the offense for the Lady Hawks, en route to picking up their 20th win of the season.
“Our philosophy is to try to go at her (DeBerry) because we know she likes to block a lot of shots and hopefully gets some fouls called our way and get her in foul trouble,” O’Neil said. “I’ve got Amelia Strong down there who can attack the rim with Jade Rutledge and it makes it difficult for her because we can attack them at different angles with different players.”
This game concluded the regular season for both the Lady Billies and the Lady Hawks. The two teams have each had a tremendous season so far; both went undefeated in league play.
This weekend will reveal the seedings for the Section VI boys and girls basketball playoffs.
The Cardinal O’Hara Lady Hawks will play for the league championship game against St. Mary’s of Lancaster on March 6th.
