BETHEL —  Telstar senior and varsity basketball player Morgan Zetts said she’d hoped to score 1,000 points since she was a child.

When the basketball season was canceled because of COVID her freshman year she thought it wouldn’t happen for her.

This year, “I put a lot of pressure on myself. So when that basket went in [on Friday night in Lisbon], it just felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders …  Honestly, I felt kind of relieved,” said Zetts.

“I didn’t really know how to react, I just had a big smile on my face while my teammates swarmed me.  They had plenty of reaction, probably more than me! As soon as that basket went in they all rushed over and hugged me and just kept saying how proud they were of me,” said Zetts.  She said she appreciated the Lisbon players gift of a bouquet of flowers and the game ball.

“Little did I know that coach had something more planned for me… our boys had their senior game that night, so we all rushed back [to Bethel]. At halftime coach recognized me in front of everyone and he even invited all of the previous 1,000 point scorers. This was all a surprise and I was just super grateful for Coach and everyone involved in this celebration,” said Zetts.

At the halftime ceremony, Coach Alec Newell said, “The ability to put this ball in that basket takes dedication, practice and incredible hard work. But this goes beyond Morgan Zetts and her 23 points a game and 15 rebounds. Morgan is a class teammate, a great captain and just an awesome person,” He said he was honored to present the game ball to Zetts.

“I even had previous teammates reach out and say congrats. All of them are one of the main reasons that I was able to accomplish this goal and each of them have been so supportive of me over the past three years. My coaches also greeted me with hugs and tons of support! I am super grateful that I got the opportunity to be coached by two of the most supportive people ever and that I got celebrate with Bri [Douglas, assistant coach] and Mr. Newell.”

Since it was an away game, she wasn’t sure who would be there to see her reach her goal, but they came in droves.

Her brother Avery came with a poster he made. Another poster was signed by children from Crescent Park, her elementary school.

“My mom and stepdad are always at everything so I wasn’t surprised to see them there. Six of my eight sibling’s were there, Addy, one of my sisters is on my team, so it was awesome to get to experience this with my best friend by my side every step of the way! One of my grandmothers was there, along with a few of my aunts and one of my uncles.

“A bunch of my cousins came, and friends who I consider family. My boyfriend was there along with one of my childhood coaches, Jarrett Bean, who also happens to be the last 1,000 point scorer. My dad and stepmom wanted to be there but they had just welcomed my new baby sister,” said Zetts.

Previous Telstar high scorers were: Mike Pelletier with 1,043 points in 1991; Todd Wing with 1,o49 points in 1995; Kinsey Durgin with 1,109 points in 2003; Sean Caddigan with 1,474 in 2006; Bailey Davis with 1,170 in 2008; and Jarrett Bean with 1,010 in 2018.

On Sunday, Zetts said  1,043 points is her next goal. “My stepdad’s best friend and one of my very first basketball coaches was the first one at Telstar to reach 1,000. Mike has helped improve my game tremendously over the past 15 years so it’s just a little friendly competition [for Zetts to beat his record].”

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.