3000
WHITNEY SETS NEW RECORD
BY DAN PARKER SOUTH JETTY REPORTER

Whitney Williams has hit yet another major milestone in yet another major milestone in her stellar high school basketball her stellar high school basket- career.
The Port Aransas High School senior scored her School senior scored her 3,000th point as a varsity point as a varsity player on Friday, Jan. 26, player on Friday, Jan. 26, during a Lady Marlins victory during a Lady Marlins victory over the Lady Eagles at over the Lady Eagles at Woodsboro High School. And yet, in a demonstration of her commitment to unselfish team play, she apparently didn't even realize she had scored her 3,000th point until four days later. That day - Tuesday, Jan. 30 - Lady Marlins Jan. 30 - Lady Marlins coach Randy Henderson coach Randy Henderson asked her to line up with asked her to line up with the rest of the team at center the rest of the team at center court in Doyle Marek court in Doyle Marek Gymnasium at PAHS during Gymnasium at PAHS during half time of the boys' varsity half time of the boys' varsity game against the Falls City game against the Falls City Beavers. (The Lady Marlins Beavers. (The Lady Marlins had beaten the Lady Beavers had beaten the Lady Beavers only about 45 minutes earlier only about 45 minutes earlier in the same gym.)

Whitney didn't know what was up, but she did as she was asked. up, but she did as she was asked. Then, Brundrett Middle School Principal Bob Byrd - the booming Principal Bob Byrd - the booming Voice of the Marlins - made an announcement Voice of the Marlins - made an announcement over the gym's public over the gym's public address system to the audience of about 200 address system to the audience of about 200 in the stands: "Since 1978, when girls' basketball went to the 5-on-5 full-court format, only 10 players have the 5-on-5 full-court format, only 10 players have scored 3,000 or more points in their varsity career scored 3,000 or more points in their varsity career in the state of Texas," Byrd said. in the state of Texas," Byrd said.
"We are very proud to announce that senior Whitney Williams became the 11th player in the history of Texas player in the history of Texas 00 high school girls to score 3,000 points in her high school girls to score 3,000 points in her career," Byrd said. career," Byrd said.

Henderson said he relied partly on statistics in Texas Basketball, a magazine, to in Texas Basketball, a magazine, to come to the conclusion that come to the conclusion that

 Williams had reached the No. 11 spot. 11 spot. "This is quite a testament not only to Whitney's athletic skill and ability, to Whitney's athletic skill and ability, but also to the incredible players that but also to the incredible players that we have had the past four years," Henderson we have had the past four years," Henderson told the South Jetty before the told the South Jetty ceremony. "They have been unselfish, ceremony. "They have been unselfish, team-first players." team-first players."

During the ceremony, Henderson presented Williams with the very ball

presented Williams with the very ball with which she scored her 3000th point. with which she scored her 3000 It was signed by her teammates and will It was signed by her teammates and will be circulated for more autographs by be circulated for more autographs by Williams' past teammates who have Williams' past teammates who have graduated, Byrd said. graduated, Byrd said.

The ball will be on permanent display in the high school trophy display in the high school trophy

case. Henderson listed a number of Williams' former teammates as Williams' former teammates as deserving honors too: Lorine Hernandez, deserving honors too: Lorine Hernandez, Jelena Rosandic, Amy Jelena Rosandic, Amy Ardoin, Rachael Ardoin, Lauren Ardoin, Rachael Ardoin, Lauren Skewis, Carmen Franco, Emily Skewis, Carmen Franco, Emily Hamilton, Heather Grumbles, Hamilton, Heather Grumbles, Kristin Hall and Devin Shrier. Kristin Hall and Devin Shrier.

Whitney's mother, Stephanie Kenigsberg, presented Kenigsberg, presented Williams with a bouquet of Williams with a bouquet of yellow roses and gave her yellow roses and gave her a hug at center court. a hug at center court. "I'm really, really excited," Williams excited," Williams said in an interview said in an interview later that night. later that night. "I had no idea "I had no idea (the 3,000 point) even point) even happened.

About the honors she received Williams said, "I think it's really cool. I'm very proud. I've worked really hard - not necessarily for that (3000th point), but I've put in a lot of work in general to be a good basketball player." Teammate Elaine Franco said she was elated by Williams' achievement.

"I think it's awesome," Franco said. "I'm really happy for her. She works really hard, and she deserves every point she makes."

Teammate Katie Coeckelenbergh also was happy for Williams.

"I'm so proud of her," Coeckelenbergh said. "She is such an amazing basketball player. But she plays for the team, not just for herself."

Williams said she has great respect for her team.

"We have a really unselfish team all the way around," Williams said. "We're all going for the same goal. They're amazing, and I love them all."

After beating the Falls City Lady Beavers, the Lady Marlins were 7-0 in district play. They were among the state's highest ranked 1-A teams.