By RYAN WALKER
Norwell sharpshooter Makenzie Fuess accomplished the 1,000-point scoring mark Friday night in the Knights’ 75-29 win over New Haven.
The shot that did it was a drive down the middle of the lane and hit a floater straight through for the team’s first bucket of the quarter.
“I got the ball at the three-point line, and I just knew I wouldn’t have a good shot there,” Fuess said after the game. “So, I attacked the basket and most likely have a better opening. I just saw the opening and pulled up. I tried to stay under control and put it in.”
Fuess surprised everyone by nearly getting to the 19 points she needed before the end of the first half. She struggled in the first quarter with one made shot, but in the second, she caught fire and scored 15 more.
Right out of the locker room, she hit the shot and even finished the night with a team-high 25.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Fuess continued. “It’s crazy I was able to do it. There’s not a lot of girls get the opportunity to do it, but I couldn’t have done it without the amazing coaches that I’ve had and the players. Those are the ones who are getting me open.”
Her teammates on the floor rushed to her as the officials stopped the game to celebrate the moment. Fuess went right to her head coach Eric Thornton for a two-handed high-five and embraced for a hug. Thornton, now in his 27th season, has watched her grow into the program from even before high school.
“Makenzie is very special to me and to our team,” Thornton shared. “She’s just a great kid and I’m just happy for her. It’s awesome to be able to have that type of relationship as a coach with players where you watch them grow up and watch Mackenzie grow up, as well as these other kids and you kind of flashback to some things on nights like this.”
After Thornton, it was Mom’s turn. Fuess ran straight to her mom, Joye, as she was holding her phone capturing the moment, and gave her a hug as well.
Fuess shared that it was special to her to have her mom there and the support of her family.
Not only did she eclipse the 1,000-point scoring mark, but Norwell also clinched a share of the Northeast 8 Conference title on the same night.
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