Trio of athletes record 1,000 career points
A trio of Coshocton County high school basketball players recorded their 1,000th career points this season.
Gavin Williams, a senior point guard for the Coshocton Redskins, made his mark in the record books during a home game against Meadowbrook.
“I knew I was close,” he said. “They stopped the game when I hit it, and everyone came up and hugged me. It felt great to do it. It really wasn’t on my mind (throughout the season) though. I was just focused on winning games, getting my team better and having fun throughout the year.”
Williams’ coach Jamie Helter knew 1,000 points was possible for him this year.
“I didn’t press him though,” Helter said. “I just told him if he kept doing what he does it would happen.”
Williams is thankful for everyone who has been by his side during his basketball career.
“I want to thank my coaches, my teammates, and my family for being there and helping me out,” he said.
Williams’ advice to younger teammates hoping to hit the 1,000-point mark is to stay dedicated.
“Stay in the gym as long as you can and keep working hard,” he said. “Your senior year goes fast. Have fun with it.”
Williams isn’t sure where he wants to go to college yet but knows he would like to pursue a career in sports management, coaching or physical therapy.
“He has potential to play at the next level,” Helter said. “He’s quick and very athletic. He’s never off the floor for us unless he’s in foul trouble. He’s an all-around good athlete. He was the quarterback for our football team too.”
Ridgewood’s Kalie Rettos also put her name in the record book for the Generals this year. She scored her 1,000th-career point during an away game at Claymont.
“I knew I was five points away,” Rettos said. Our athletic directors (at the schools) are good friends so he (Mr. Colvin) asked beforehand if they could do something when I hit it. I felt very accomplished and it was a big sigh of relief to know I contributed to Ridgewood in that way.”
She knew the career milestone was possible going into the season, but it was not the first thing on her mind.
“We have a young group with two freshmen and two sophomores starting,” Rettos said. “My 1,000th point was not the first thing on my mind. Helping my team was.”
She plays point guard or shooting guard for the Generals and is very appreciative of everyone who helped guide her to this point in her career.
“I want to thank all my coaches over the years and especially my dad,” Rettos said.
She recently verbally committed to play basketball at Heidelberg University.
“To play basketball in college is a very big accomplishment for me,” Rettos said. “I’m one of the first in my family to go to college and to play a sport too is really awesome.”
Her basketball career began in third grade.
“It started with Upward and I went up from there,” Rettos said. “I love to compete. I feel like basketball is one sport you can’t take a break. Unless it’s a time out or a foul shot you’ve got to keep going. You can’t stop.”
Her advice to her younger teammates is to be patient.
“Everything will work out in the end,” Rettos said.
River View’s 1,000-point scorer this year was senior point guard Jessica Hartsock.
“I had a good idea where I was going into the game,” she said. “Once I hit my shot I felt relieved. I think 80 percent of the people there expected it to happen that game. I was happy I was able to do it at home because a lot of people wanted to come see it.”
Hartsock started playing basketball in third grade on a travel team started by Mike Albertson.
“I have to thank him and my teammates for being supportive and my Dad for making me go out every day in the summer and shoot baskets even when I wanted to refuse. It paid off in the end.”
Hartsock plans on hanging up her sneakers after graduation and attending ATI in Wooster to major in agriculture business.
“I’ve enjoyed being with my teammates (over the year), reacting to what the defense gives you and just having fun,” she said.
Category: High School, Sports
