By Don Eskins
On Friday night, January 10, in Carlsbad, Cavegirl Abbey Dugan pumped in 27 points to lead CHS past the Organ Mt. Knights, 64-31.
But there was a lot more for the Cavegirls to celebrate than just the win, a win that had lifted their seasonal record up to 13-2.
With just .38 seconds remaining in the ball game and inside the key, Dugan dropped in a shot.
Her effort marked a milestone and earned her membership in a very exclusive club. When the ball fell in the bucket, it registered the 1001 point of her career. Very few athletes on a basketball court, at any level, get to savor 1000-point caree
rs.
For Dugan and the Cavegirls, making that shot was just the beginning of a long-awaited celebration.
Play stopped as the ball fell through the hoop, the Cavegirls swarmed Dugan to congratulate her, and CHS announcer Kent Hitchens let the fans know she had just collected her 1000th point.
Dugan said it was a moment she’ll never forget.
“It really surprised me when Coach Enloe, after my shot, called a time-out, and my teammates ran over to congratulate me,” she said. “Their efforts made it very special for me; it was a moment I’ll never forget.”
Enloe couldn’t have been happier or prouder as he watched his fifth-year player record such a monumental milestone.
“I was so proud of Abbey. Getting an opportunity to watch a kid you coach score the 1000th point of her career doesn’t happen every day. It’s an exclusive club that only a few athletes get to join,” he said. “As far as I know, only three other girls in the history of our program—Taylor Edmondson, Carson Boswell, and Kaliyah Montoya—have ever accomplished it. All three of those girls went on to play Division I basketball, so I’d say Abbey is in pretty good company.
“Abbey’s probably the most competitive girl I’ve ever coached. She’s all about team, works hard every day, and is a great leader for us both on and off the court,” said the Cavegirl coach. “We’re really lucky to have her.”
During the final minute of play against Organ Mountain, Dugan, unable to get off a shot, passed the ball off to center Jasmynn Gonzales. Gonzales, who knew Dugan needed just one point to reach her milestone, got the ball right back to her. From there, Dugan pumped it in the bucket to register her 1000th point and become part of Carlsbad Cavegirl basketball history.
“Scoring my 1000th point on an assist from Jasmynn was special, too. Jasmynn and I are good friends. We’ve been playing together for quite some time, and we know instinctively what each other is going to do on the court,” said Dugan. “I’m glad I got the ball from her to score my 1000th point.”
Note: During Dugan’s first year of Cavegirl basketball, she competed in just four games due to playing in the Cavegirl soccer state tournament and a COVID-19-shortened season.
Abbey has already signed a letter of intent to compete in soccer for Hardin-Simmons University during the 2025-26 school year.
Comments