Schools

Ladue's Cornell Johnston Has Now Scored 1,000 Career Points

Milestone reached in the last six minutes of the game with Affton Friday night.

Towards the end of the home game for Ladue with Affton Friday night, students were holding up two fingers. But they weren’t calling for the two-point shot. Rather, they were telling everyone in Nielson Gymnasium that junior point guard Cornell Johnston was a mere two points from reaching 1,000 points for a career.

With a flair for the dramatic, and with two defenders draped on his shoulders, the speedy guard pulled up in the lane, fired a floater for two points, and the goal had been reached. There were just 6 minutes left in Ladue’s 80-58 route of Affton.

Coach Chad Anderson called time out to recognize the milestone. The crowd loved the effort, and the big win, the 18th out of 22 this season.

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This is how it was done over the past  three years:

  • 2013 season, 309 points
  • 2012 season, 473 points
  • 2011 season, 218 points

“It was a good experience, having this big crowd here. I’m glad I reached (1,000 points) at home,” said Johnston.

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“But I just have to look at it as just another bucket, like my first one (three years ago) and not let all of this get to my head.”

Once the hay was in the barn, Johnston dished balls to anyone else he could find to take shots down the stretch.

Anderson was pleased to get this performance accomplished. “We’ve had a few score a thousand. Probably 5 or 6 others. I’d have to look at the records,” said the coach.

“I was trying to find a way to make the (milestone) something special. I called a time out. But with out PA system, it was hard to hear, but I’m really happy for him,” said Anderson.

Andrew Maddock, power forward who had 18 points and 16 rebounds in the Affton win  was happy for his teammate.

“It’s great for him. He’s a great player. Obviously one of the best point guards in Ladue’s history and he just makes this team go. He makes everyone’s job a lot easier.”

Think about it? Doing anything 1,000 times takes extra effort. Whether raking 1,000 leaves or climbing 1,000 steps or turning 1,000 pages in book, it takes extraordinary effort.

There are smiles all around Ladue basketball these days. Not only is the team 18-4, but their point guard Cornell Johnston, just a junior has just joined the lofty 1,000 point club.


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