Lake Oconee Academy Lady Titans’ shooting guard Ansleigh Padgett had a big night on Tuesday in a home non-region matchup against Bethlehem Christian Academy.
The senior scored her 1,000th career point when she successfully sank a 3-pointer in the third quarter. After the accomplishment, the game was halted, and Padgett was honored at halfcourt with her family.
Padgett’s LOA teammates, coaches, and fans in the stands gave her a standing ovation.
“Ansleigh is an unbelievably special player, and the type of player every coach wants on their team,” Lake Oconee Academy head coach Josh Seymour told the Lake Oconee News after the game. “Her grit, determination, and leadership are a few examples of what make her a great teammate. She is destined for great things in life, and I am so proud of her.” Padgett entered the contest 15 points shy of the career milestone and scored the exact amount in a 36-29 loss to the Lady Knights this past Tuesday. She is the team’s leading scorer this season, averaging 17.5 points per game, and is shooting 34.5% from the 3-point line.
Padgett said the 1,000 career points is a goal she has long wanted to achieve.
She also mentioned that many people she looks up to, including former teammates Georgia Bosart and Hannah Heinen, have achieved “a thousand or more” before, which inspired her to do the same.
“I just wanted to be in the same category as them because I looked up to them my whole basketball career,” Padgett said. “It felt good [to accomplish] and honestly, I was glad the pressure to get a thousand was over; I always shoot threes, and so I was confident when I shot it.”
Outside of basketball and school, Padgett works 40 hours a week to help provide for her family. She said that balancing the long hours and her athletic career makes her feel even prouder of her recent accomplishment.
“At practice, I’m focused on basketball, and any off time, I’m also focused on basketball,” Padgett added. “When I’m at work, if we’re not busy, I’ll watch film and learn from what I can do better.”
With the remainder of her final season at LOA, Padgett wants to win another region championship and make a run in the state playoffs. She hopes her career achievement can serve as a good example for her teammates, because “every point matters, no matter what.”
“Whether you’re on or you’re off, just keep shooting because eventually [the ball will] go in,” Padgett said. “Just have confidence, trust in yourself and in your teammates.”