Isabella Anderson Marks 1000th Basketball Point

A victory party broke out during the girls basketball game in Tri-Valley on Saturday, February 10. The celebration was all about Lady Bulldog Isabella Anderson. Isabella notched the 1000th point of her career, and the fans in the stands went wild. Isabella said, “When I saw the ball go in, I was so excited and I realized all my hard work is paying off.”

The 5’ 7” junior point guard, who averages about 12 points per game, had made reaching the milestone one of her goals this season, but it’s not an event anyone can plan. Isabella recalled she started getting excited early in the Tri-Valley game because she knew the target was within reach.

“Once I knew I only needed two more points, I tried to get to the free throw line in the fourth quarter. I drove in to create contact and draw the foul. When I got to the line, I took a few deep breaths and knocked them both down. My teammates started surrounding me and giving me high fives and fans were holding up signs and standing and cheering.” 

Her achievement is the culmination of nine years of dedication. Isabella started playing basketball in third grade when her dad, Paul, decided to put together a travel team. “One of the first experiences connected to basketball that I remember was when I was in fourth grade,” she said.”My Milbank travel team went up to Grand Forks and played a tournament there. We played a team from Canada called the Red Hot Chili Peppers. We also had a lot of fun at the hotel and made a lot of  memories.” Isabella remained on that team until she was moved up to high school basketball in seventh grade. She has started on varsity ever since.

Her head coach, Brian Pauli commented, “Isabella loves the game of basketball!  She is a competitor who always plays hard and competes to the best of her abilities. She has spent a lot of time improving her skills.”

Coach Pauli said to reach her 1000th point, Isabella’s points accrued like this:
7th Grade –101
8th grade –188 
9th Grade –231
10th Grade –256
11th Grade –224 up to February 10, but still counting. 

The number 1000 will most likely always remind Isabella of a big accomplishment, but she said the number five – the one that is emblazoned on her jersey– has become her favorite number. She also revealed, “My favorite thing to eat before a game is a fruit bowl that consists of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, and apples. She said she also repeats the same ritual before every game: “I pray for my teammates and myself, and I thank God for the game of basketball.”  

Although she is happy to give the man upstairs the glory, she also went on to give thanks to “my teammates, coaches, family (her parents are Paul and Jennifer Anderson) and friends for always supporting me and helping me turn into the player and person I am today.”

Join The Valley Express in applauding Isabella and all the Lady Bulldogs!