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It was a special night in the Callaway gymnasium on Friday as Lacey Thomas scored her 1,000th point for the Cavaliers in a 57-10 victory over Elite Scholars Academy.

“I didn’t know how close I was because my coach kept it a secret,” said a still-surprised Thomas after the game. “I was genuinely confused at first when everyone started cheering.”

It was another dominant showing for Thomas, who needed just 13 points to eclipse 1,000 points and got just that when she hit a basket plus a free-throw late in the first quarter. Coach Deyano Martin called a timeout as Thomas was then honored with a plaque as the Cavalier faithful exploded in applause.

Thomas always believed in herself day in and day out and it shows in games and at practice. 

“I always knew I could be a leader for this team,” Thomas said. “I always had that leadership trait as a young girl.”

Despite Martin using his reserves heavily over the final three quarters, but Thomas was able to score her 1,001 and 1,002 points when she scored a basket early in the second quarter.

Over 1,000 points later and Thomas still remembers the first two she scored in red and black as a freshman.

“It was an away game my freshman year and I was very nervous,” Thomas said. “Luckily, I scored my first points and had a decent game.”

The Cavaliers ran away with the game early as Thomas’ 1,000th point put the team up 25-0 late in the first quarter. ESA would score in the final seconds of the first quarter to ensure they were not shut out in the opening eight minutes.

Despite the platoon swaps, the Cavaliers kept up the pressure. 

The Cavaliers turned a 27-2 lead at the end of the first quarter into a 37-4 lead at the break. The swarming Cavalier defense never gave ESA an inch and held the ESA offense to zero points in the third quarter.

ESA eventually cracked double figures late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavaliers proved once again they have one of the top defenses in AA.

Thomas led the offense with 15 points with Aniyah McFarland scoring 10 and Keiyunna Maddox chipping in with nine.

In total, 11 different Cavaliers got in the scoring column. 

Callaway (10-1) is still undefeated in region play (5-0) with its win on Friday night. The Cavaliers will have a quick turnaround for a crucial region clash on the road to Eagle’s Landing on Saturday.

“This is a great group of girls, and we’ve built a real sisterhood,” Thomas said. “We are now 5-0 in region play, but we want to keep it up all season. We don’t underestimate anyone.”