PERHAM – Only three other Perham boys basketball players did what Soren Anderson did last Thursday night in Barnesville.
While standing at the opposing free-throw line, senior Micah Thompson called a play to get Anderson the ball on the other end of the floor. It led to a 1,000th point in a storied high school basketball career.
“I knew how many I needed,” Anderson said. “I just kind of wanted to get it out of the way. At the end of the day, 1,000 points is a good milestone, but it’s also just a number, and I wasn’t going into the game thinking I had to get to 1,000. I wasn’t making sure to take extra shots or anything. Winning the game came first, and that was a really big win for us.”
Needing 21 points, Anderson finished Thursday’s 69-40 win over the Trojans with 1,000 on the dot. His 21-point performance led all scorers.
Barnesville High School had some extra Yellowjacket fans in attendance anticipating the milestone.
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“There was definitely some pressure on me because I had like 20 of my family members there,” Anderson said, laughing. “It was definitely a special moment. I’m glad I got it done. It meant everything to have so many people I love there with me. All of those people have supported me since I started dribbling a ball in second grade. To kind of just look back at all of the memories I’ve made with those people and my progress as a player, and all of the memories and moments I’ve shared, it was very special.”
Two of those fans were Finn Diggins and Jenson Beachy. The Perham High School graduates are two of the member’s on the exclusive 1,000-point list. Beachy is an assistant coach for Barnesville, while Diggins plays football at North Dakota State University.
“I looked up to those guys,” Anderson said of Diggins and Beachy. “I thought it was really cool to get a picture with them. It was really special to have them there and do it in front of them.”
Anderson quickly gave credit for his milestone to the people around him, including the longtime head coach of the Perham boys basketball team, Dave Cresap.
“It goes back to coach Cresap and all the hard work he’s put into the program,” Anderson said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without him -- My teammates too. They’re the ones dishing the dimes to me. Four boys all time have done it, and I’m the fourth. That’s pretty special to me. I know I said it’s just a number, but I’ll look back at how special this is, and nobody can take that away from me. At the end of the day, I have to hand it off to my coaches, my teammates and my family.”
Barring something unforeseen, Anderson won’t be the only Perham boys basketball player to crack the 1,000-point list. Thompson is 107 away from reaching the same milestone.
“I’m super excited for him,” Anderson said of Thompson. “Micah and I have pushed each other to our limits. We’ve gotten each other so much better. To see him reach this is going to be awesome. He’s been more supportive and more excited than anybody. He was the one who called the play who got me my 1,000th point. When Barnesville was shooting a free throw, he looked at me and said, ‘We’re going.’ He told me we were going to get it done and get to 1,000. It worked. He delivered the pass, and it was awesome. He was happier than anyone, and I’ll be the happiest when he gets his too.”
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