'Once I started getting my first couple points, I calmed down a little bit, and I was ready to go.'
WINDBER — Needing just nine points to reach 1,000 for her career, Windber senior girls basketball player Kaylie Gaye wasted little time surpassing the milestone against Moshannon Valley, Monday, Dec. 15.
Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Gaye corralled a long rebound and scored on an uncontested layup to eclipse 1,000 points. She tallied a game-high 18, leading the Ramblers past the Damsels 59-17 on what was a truly special night.
"It's just an amazing feeling," said Gaye. "I've dreamed of this ever since I was a little girl, and being able to follow right after my sister is just an honor and an unbelievable feeling and I'm just so blessed."
Gaye became the eighth female player to achieve the milestone at Windber. Only 23 players, male or female, have reached the scoring plateau. Gaye joined elite company, including her sister Gina, who topped 1,000 points in 2022.
"I was calm all day until I actually got here in the gym," Gaye said approaching the milestone. "I was a little worked up and a little nervous. Once I started getting my first couple points, I calmed down a little bit, and I was ready to go."
Gaye has been a fixture in the Windber lineup throughout her career. She came off the bench as a freshman and netted 258 points. Gaye dropped 302 points as a sophomore and tallied 295 points a season ago. Gaye entered Monday night's Inter-County Conference tilt averaging 22.6 points per game for the 7-0 Ramblers.
She is a 3-time Somerset all-county selection, including a first-team honoree the past two seasons. Gaye is also a 3-time Daily American Somerset County All-Star Basketball Team member. She is a 2-time first-team selection.
Gaye, a three-sport athlete with a bevy of talent, is leaving a lasting impression as a Rambler.
"We're very proud of Kaylie," Windber coach Chad Manippo said. "We're very lucky to have her on our team. She's a team-first player. Obviously, we are celebrating her tonight because of 1,000 points, but she really wants the win more important than anything, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to get that win, whether it's scoring, playing defense, distributing. She's a 1,000-point scorer tonight, but she's a complete, all-around player. She plays with a lot of passion."
Rylee Baer and Payton Roxby each had 10 points in the game for the Ramblers. Windber held Moshannon Valley to just one point in the second half.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Windber senior girls basketball player reaches scoring milestone
Category: General Sports
