ATTICA — Cameron Harris became the ninth member of the 1,000-Point Club in Crawfordsville boys basketball history in an 81-48 win at Attica.
The senior hit a three-pointer with 7:45 left in the second quarter to give him the 14th point he needed to put a comma in his career total column.
“It’s pretty awesome,” he said, still holding the ball after the game. “It’s one of those goals you start to think about when you are a freshman. “It’s a big deal to my family and me.”
Harris also had others to thank.
“My teammates are amazing,” he said. “They have been a lot of help. This (making the thousand points) has been a little distracting. I just have to thank my parents so much for all the miles and money they have put it, and my extended family, including my grandparents, who have been incredible.”
That extended Harris family drew thanks from not only the player, but from the coach.
“The Harris Family is truly a huge part of the Crawfordsville Basketball Family,” Athenians boss David Pierce said. “When you look at their efforts, all the meals they have provided, all the travel and AAU work in the offseason, you just have to be proud of all of them. We’ve had three great sons from that family and then you add the parents and the grandparents. I’m just proud of Cam and happy for his family. His 1,000 points are unique, because this is the only season where he has been the featured player. He has been an extremely efficient shooter.”
Harris finished with 29 to lead the Athenians, who move to 10-10 on the season while the Red Ramblers fall to 6-11.
Nine different players got into the scorebook, as Crawfordsville jumped out to an early lead and never looked back.
Shooting was the hallmark of the night, as the visitors bettered 50 percent from the field, going 29-of-56 overall. From 3-point range, they were 11-of-22 and finished 12-of-17 from the line.
“Our shooting is getting better,” Pierce said. “We got 71 (last Friday) against Tri-West and 81 tonight. We hit open shots, which is going to be so important in the last two games and in the sectional. We benefited from being wide open tonight, but going forward, we still have to screen better. We will have to get ourselves more open.”
Pierce noted 15 assists on the 29 made field goals as well, and was pleased with only eight turnovers.
Jesse Johnson-Hall played an impressive fourth quarter in relief. The freshman went 5-for-5 from the field, including a triple, scoring 13 points to go along with the 21 he scored in the jv game.
“We executed well,” Pierce said, “and the distribution of points says a lot about the kids, as does the assists. We also only gave up one offensive rebound.”
The Athenians won the rebound battle 32-24. Harris had six, as did Jack Sommer, who also had four assists, two steals and a blocked shot to go with eight points. Tray Scarza led the team with five steals, and dished out four assists. “Just a heck of a job,” Pierce said of sophomore guard.
Attica was led in scoring by Aulton Martin with 27 points. The Red Ramblers were 7-of-18 from two point range and 7-of-19 from 3-point range. They finished 13-of-15 from the line. David Burris led them with eight rebounds. They were guilty of 19 turnovers, nearly all forced by Athenians steals, which resulted in 26 Crawfordsville points off.
Harris’ 29 points not only moved him over 1,000 for his career, but also moved him into fifth place in the all-time scoring list at Crawfordsville.