February 8, 2007

     Vicky Perez was the difference Tuesday night at the St. Luke's Athletic Center -- quite literally.
     The senior forward scored 20 points in a 20-point win over Rye Country Day (11-5), but it was her 17th point that was celebrated most. Perez became the school's ninth basketball player and second female to score 1,000 points in her high school career.
     Head coach Dave Finch said Perez seemed shocked when it happened, and just as concerned with making sure she tallied her 18th point too.
     "She hit the front end of a two-shot foul with about six minutes to go," Finch said. "Honestly, I don't think she realized she had hit it. We had a ceremony that presented her with the game ball. She just wanted to get back to the line and shoot the other end of it & Her teammates came out and congratulated her. She looked like she wanted to get the second shot."
     Perez, in fact, did hit the second free throw and added another bucket late in the game to push her career total to 1,003 points.
     "She is every coach's dream," Finch said. "A lot of (the milestone) is a testament to how hard she works and the high standard she sets for herself throughout her whole career."
     Max Brittenham, who graduated last spring, joined the 1,000-point club last January after scoring 17 second-half points in a victory over Brunswick. Other members of the club include Jason Hickey (2002), Patrick Powers (2000), Nick Reiph (1999), Rob Murray (1999), Kelvin Jefferson (1990), Ken Giavara (1984) and Andrea Whitcomb (1983), who had been the school's only girl to reach the milestone. Powers leads all scorers with 1,355 career points.
     The Crusaders led 29-20 at halftime and dominated the second half to remain undefeated in FAA competition (7-0).
     "It was close early," Finch said. "We were very patient, wore them down and pulled away later in the game."
     Perez and point guard Rachel Brittenham did nearly all of the scoring damage for the Crusaders as Brittenham did a little bit of everything. She finished an assist short of a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. She also hit four three-pointers.
     St. Luke's seems poised to enter the FAA tournament as the top seed and prepares for the New England tournament, where they could face Hamden Hall. The Hornets are the only team defeated the Crusaders this season.
     "I really like our chances. I think we're all coming together at just the right time," Finch said. "The loss to Hamden Hall was probably a great thing for us. It refocused us at a time during the season when we're getting ready for the postseason. It was a reality check."
     St. Luke's hosts KLHT next Tuesday at 6 p.m.