Saint Mary’s Jake Butler (20) finesses in a layup to put himself at 1,000 points on the season Friday against Smith Voke at Westfield Middle School South. (Photo by Randall S. Burlingame)
WESTFIELD – St. Mary’s senior guard Jake Butler pushed the ball on a fast break in the opening minutes of Friday’s contest against Smith Vocational, driving the full length of the court, going coast to coast and laying it in for the 1,000th point of his high school career.
The buzzer sounded. The game was temporarily stopped, and Butler was given a standing ovation by teammates, family, friends, fans and a crowd that also included two of the school’s former 1,000-point scorers.
“Welcome to the club,” former 1,000 point Saints’ scorer Judge Beattie said, moments after Butler hit his historic two. “It’s quite an accomplishment. (Jake) has that extra burst of speed and can really go to the hoop.”
Judge Beattie, who played center for St. Mary’s, scored his 1,000th point in 1966.
From left to right, former 1,000 point scorers from St. Mary’s, Matt Beattie (1994) and Judge Beattie (1966) welcome current Saint, Jake Butler, to the 1,000 point club Friday. (Photo by Randall S. Burlingame)
“You need a lot of teammates getting you the ball in the right position to score,” said Judge’s son Matt, who reached the same feat as a Saints forward in 1994.
Other Saints who reached that milestone include Kevin Miller (1974), and more recently, Steve Drenen, and Jon Ference.
“He’s had a great five-year career,” St. Mary’s coach Joe Molta said. “He has played as hard as anybody could play.”
You would not know it from the box scores – Butler puts up nearly 25-30 points on any given night – but the St. Mary’s senior has been playing the season with a ruptured disc in his back, and a dislocated finger.
It was a brief celebration for Butler, who was more concerned with getting back to playing, and more concerned with his team’s 48-38 loss to Smith Voke. In that game, the Vikings size and athleticism proved to be the difference as they wore down St. Mary’s on the boards. (Butler finished with 18 points.)
The Saints’ Jake Butler (20) signs the ball he shot in for 1,000 points on the season. (Photo by Randall S. Burlingame)
“It was a layup,” Butler said, shrugging off the milestone moment. “All of our excitement came the other day when we put the nail in the coffin for the playoffs.”
It is easy to see why he is regarded as one of Molta’s favorite ball players sidestepping the showman-like effort that often comes with being the team’s high scorer night in and night out, instead, focusing more on being workmanlike.
“How many people can say they played for a state championship baseball team and scored 1,000 points?” coach Molta said.
Butler still might have another word or two, what with a tournament game and a final baseball season still around the corner.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Chin-Yee boosts Red Raiders
Commerce 51, Westfield Technical Academy 29
Pajae Chin-Yee exploded for 19 points to lead Commerce past Westfield Tech.
Kelsey Carroll and Jaymee Hall led Westfield Tech with seven points apiece. Tigers’ Arianna Levere had six.
Clarke paces Rams
Putnam 38, Southwick 22
Southwick’s Caroline Clarke scored a team-high seven points. Rams’ Maya Daley had five.
