Jessica Canary's final point Friday finished the job she did on Speedway
Jessica Canary's final point Friday finished the job she did on Speedway.
It also will be one she'll long remember.
South Putnam's versatile and talented senior scored the 1,000th point of
her career with a free throw with 28.7 seconds to play in a 59-52 victory over
the Sparkplugs on the Eagles' court.
The 6-foot-1 point guard-forward with center skills when needed scored 24
points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field and 6 of 7 from the foul line.
Canary also had five rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots and three steals.
Canary thought it had just been another day at the office until the game
was stopped following the milestone free throw and South Putnam Athletic
Director Kieth Puckett walked onto the floor to hand her a commemorative basketball signifying the accomplishment.
"I was really surprised when I saw Mr. Puckett walking out on the floor,"
Canary said. "I didn't see it coming. I had no clue it was coming. I didn't
realize I was so close (to 1,000)). I really didn't."
South Putnam Coach Debbie Steffy believes Canary is the third or fourth
girl in school history to score 1,000 points. "It hasn't happened since the
late 1980s," Steffy said. "I'm happy and excited that she got her 1,000th point tonight. It's something not many girls get to do."
Canary scored 18 points in the second half on a variety of drives and
pull-up jumpers.
"I thought she (Canary) did a great job looking for and getting good
shots in the second half," Steffy said.
Added Canary: "Coach Steffy said at halftime to set ball screens and that
would give us the opportunity to drive. It just kind of came to me."
The game was the West Central Conference opener for both teams. South
Putnam improved to 6-2 on the season. Speedway is 4-4.
"I thought we played really well," Steffy said. "I thought we played hard
the entire game. We're pleased to be 6-2 at this point in the season and this
was a big win for us, a good start in conference."
Canary thought it was one of South Putnam's top efforts this season.
"It probably was one of the best games we've had this season," Canary
said. "Everyone stepped up and looked to score. We played with patience."
South Putnam opened up a 23-17 lead midway through the second period and
was ahead 29-22 at the half. Canary's turnaround jumper gave the Eagles a
38-26 lead with 3:30 left in the third period and Speedway never got closer than seven the rest of the way.
Megan Robinson scored 11, Dara Booe 10, Meghan Canary nine, C.J. Searles
four and Bailey Birt one for the Eagles.