Sports Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, February 5, 2009
VanDyke reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bulldogs stomp Indians
By Jordan J. Michael
BERNE –– Andrea VanDyke became the fourth Berne-Knox-Westerlo varsity basketball player to score 1,000 career points on Friday. She couldn’t have asked for a more relaxed atmosphere.
“I’m just glad that we got the win. This 1,000-point thing is an added bonus,” said VanDyke, after the game. “I didn’t know if I would get it tonight. I let the ball find me.”
The veteran varsity player was 17 points away from the milestone before the Bulldogs took the floor against Schoharie on Friday night. The Indians provided little competition and BKW went on to a 61-to-31 blowout victory.
“VanDyke scored 32 against them in the first game,” said Head Coach Tom Galvin. “I told her to let the ball come to her and it eventually did. She gave the ball off to her teammates a lot in the first half. Then the ‘basketball gods’ showed up in the second.”
The mood was perfect for VanDyke and the Bulldogs, facing a Schoharie team that was dismal at best. The BKW offense had all the time and space it needed. VanDyke is the third girl to reach 1,000 points under Galvin.
“I had two girls reach it in 2004, but this was the easiest situation of the three,” Galvin said. “We knew that this wouldn’t be a tight game. The door was wide open and I’m glad that she got it done.”
Sarah Domermuth and Kim Sikule joined the club in 2004 and Ted Pitcher was the first BKW 1,000-point scorer in 1955. Domermuth is the all-time leader with 1,525 points.
“It’s quite an honor to be one of only four players to reach this point,” said VanDyke. “It’s a crazy number for sure, but I’ve been on this team since eighth grade. I had a lot of time.”
“We didn’t want to single VanDyke out tonight and make her nervous,” said teammate Amber Pitcher. “We gave her the ball whenever she was open. It felt like a special night and everyone in the gym was excited to see it happen.”
From 17 to zero
The Bulldogs used a full-court press at the beginning of the game and jumped out to a 10-to-7 lead. VanDyke put in a three to start her scoring and followed that up with a lay- up a few minutes later.
Lauren Wilson received a nice pass from VanDyke, setting up a sweet finish. The BKW press was killing Schoharie. VanDyke added another basket down low as the first quarter came to a close. The Bulldogs were up, 17-8, and VanDyke already had nine points.
“I was just trying to play how I normally do in every game,” VanDyke said. “I didn’t want this game to be just about me and my record. I found my teammates because they deserve the ball as much as me.”
VanDyke continued to find her court mates in the second quarter. With about two minutes left, she made an impressive dump pass to a waiting Emma Scott under the basket. BKW had a 29-to-8 lead and Schoharie was doomed.
Jocelyn Mann and Scott had a strong second quarter for the Bulldogs and the team led by 27 at the half, 38-11. VanDyke scored three to increase her total to 12, five points away from the milestone mark.
“I’m proud of how selfless she is on the court every night,” Pitcher said of VanDyke. “She’s going for 1,000 points and she still wants to pass the ball to everyone. It says a lot about her character.”
It would only take a couple minutes for VanDyke to reach 1,000 as eager friends and family watched from the stands. She raced down the court to reach 14 and soon found herself at the foul line. The gym was completely silent.
VanDyke made the first free throw for 15, but missed the second attempt. She raced from the line to grab the rebound and quickly put it up for 1,000 career points. Teammates and friends stormed the court, presenting flowers and hugs.
“I can’t believe I missed that free throw, but I’m kind of glad I did,” said VanDyke. “The ball bounced out and no one was really moving. That’s when I felt the rush, grabbed the ball and put it up. Then everyone went ballistic.”
“I knew she was going to grab that ball and put it in,” Galvin said. “It was an amazing play. She’s such a great player. I’m glad she did it tonight, because the next game won’t be relaxing at all.”
BKW had a ridiculous 53-to-19 lead at the end of the third quarter. The onslaught continued in the fourth and the Bulldogs won by 30 points.
VanDyke had a game-high 19 points and Scott had 10 of her own. Mann finished with seven and Hillary Hext put in 14 for Schoharie.
“This was probably the best we played all year, it was a real team game,” said Galvin. “We made plays tonight that I’ve never seen. We pushed the ball and had tons of lay-ups. It’s tough for teams to stay focused sometimes, but I see the focus in my girls.”
BKW is 8-5 overall and 7-2 in the Western Athletic Conference South after a three- point loss to Duanesburg on Monday. The team has games against Sharon Springs, Schenectady Christian, and Canajoharie to finish the regular season.
“These last games are huge because we can’t afford to fall back,” Galvin said, on Tuesday. “Every game has playoff capacity.”
VanDyke told The Enterprise that the team has the tightest relationship she’s ever seen. “We’re coming together more and more as the season moves along,” she said on Friday. “Our bench is deep and everyone has a specific roll. I think we found a new energy tonight.”