LYNN — During a quick scan of the bleachers at Lynn Classical’s gym Tuesday night, as Paris Wilkey approached the foul line to shoot two shots, one could see the white lights of many cell phones ready to record a historic moment.
Wilkey, a senior for the Rams, needed five points coming into Tuesday’s game against Beverly to reach 1,000 career points. With 44.6 seconds left in the second quarter, a combination of jitters and a changing Panther defense had left her with only three. If she was going to do it before the end of the half, she’d have to hit the two foul shots.
She put the first one up. Swish. Fans jumped out of their seats and cheered. After what seemed like forever, she hoisted up the second free throw. Likewise, swish. After that came momentary bedlam as Wilkey’s teammates rushed onto the court to congratulate her. Her parents, Paris (her father) and Christine, joined her on the court for a brief congratulatory moment.
“I let it all out after I got that second shot in,” the Franklin Pierce-bound Wilkey said. “I even cried a little.”
In a way, Wilkey said, hitting two free throws was an appropriate way for her to achieve the milestone.
“I’d been thinking about it,” she said, “and I know that in the first half I tried some layups that didn’t go, but I’m just as happy I got it this way. I scored just about half my points from the foul line, and I’ve really worked on free throws.”
It was a surrealistic day for Wilkey from the time she got to school, where she was besieged by well-wishers who wanted to discuss the game and her impending accomplishment.
“Teachers, students, my friends, there was a lot of talk,” she said. “And then there was Snapchat and Instagram too.
“I knew there were some moments where I had to concentrate on what I was doing in class, but most people just wanted to talk about 1,000 points.”
She admitted she was nervous, but also said that she tried to make sure not to force too much. Her coach, Tom Sawyer, said that despite all the excitement and the expectations, Wilkey did well,
“She did a good job of letting the game come to her,” said Sawyer. “She was mature enough to be able to do that.”
Said Beverly coach Seth Stantial, “she’s one of the best players in this (Northeastern) Conference. She certainly deserves this.”
“We just tried to make it as tough as possible for her,” he said.
Coincidentally, Wilkey wasn’t the only player who hit the millennial mark Tuesday night. Revere’s Valentina Pepic needed nine points coming into the Patriots’ game at home against Everett, hit them, and joined Wilkey.
“She’s one of my best friends,” said Wilkey. “We play AAU together.”
Wilkey said she knew Pepic was going for her 1,000th and that the two had talked about it.
“We even talked about going out this weekend and celebrating both of us getting 1,000,” Wilkey said.
Now that she’s done it, “it’s one more thing I can check off my list.”
However, she also said she’s happy it’s behind her, because now she can simply concentrate on playing her game and helping the Rams win.
