Sharon over Twinfield Ellis Hits 1000 Points

Sharon over Twinfield Ellis Hits 1000 Points By Ben Koren

The first 1000-point scorer in the history of The Sharon Academy (TSA) is Jackson Ellis, son of Kevin Ellis, the first basketball coach in the history of TSA.

The Sharon Academy(TSA) slid by Twinfield on Tuesday, winning 58-49. While it marked TSA’s 11th win this season, it also marked the 1000th point of TSA senior Jackson Ellis. Ellis started the game with 990 points and it was almost a certainty that he would hit 1000 by nights end. Refs and opposing players were informed of the situation, with family and faculty standing by for the big moment. Most of the school turned out for the game, as well as ex-TSAer’s, who showed up in droves. It was one of the only times every seat on the TSA bleachers was filled.

It was not only an exciting moment, but also an exciting game, with Ellis putting in six points in the first quarter. Twinfield held a one-point advantage 9-8, after the first. The excitement was palpable, the audience cheering and groaning with Ellis’s every possession. TSA proponent Janus Stumpf held up signs counting down to the 1000th point as Ellis gained ground.

It was midway through the second quarter when Ellis had a breakaway run that led into a lay-up and consequently his 1000th point. The court exploded in noise as Ellis ran into hugs from his teammates and family members. TSA administrator Michael Livingston said a few words and presented the game ball and a bouquet of flowers to the ecstatic Ellis. Ellis was one of the first members of the TSA varsity basketball program four years ago and has always been one of its most important contributors. It has taken an average of 15-16 points a game to achieve this and Ellis has worked hard for it.

His mother, Kimberly, says, "I’ve never met a kid who’s worked as hard at a sport. He self-trains and is completely dedicated to the game." Any student at TSA can attest to this, as Ellis can almost always be found on the court shooting around. Never has he missed a game and the only practice he has missed in recent memory was at the insistence of his father, who said he should probably start visiting some colleges.

Ellis has already started leaving a legacy at TSA as the first 1000-pointer, but he is not done yet. He has led TSA to its best season ever at 11-3 and hopes to take them into the championships, hallowed yet unfamiliar ground for any TSA team. Whether they make it or not, Ellis is setting a rigorous standard for his successors, one that will be hard to match for all upcoming players. Ellis ended the night with 17 points.