PHILADELPHIA - There were countless possibilities for how Malvern Prep senior Will Powers would score his 1,000th career point.
Yet, no one would have predicted how it eventually happened; in fact, you had to see it to believe it.
On Wednesday afternoon at Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy, Powers entered the contest needing eight points to push a fourth digit into his career scoring column. Since he has been among the Inter-Academic League scoring leaders this season, odds were high that Powers would attain his pursuits relatively early.
That’s precisely what occurred.
Fan Video: Will Powers' 1,000th Point
With the first-quarter clock two three seconds shy of turning into the second quarter, Malvern senior Mike Narzikul inbounded to Powers near mid-court. Already off to a scintillating start and needing only one more point to reach 1,000, Powers took a few quick dribbles, stopped, flung an arched prayer toward the basket, and, alas, banked off the backboard and through the twine.
Move over, six former Malvern 1,000-point scorers, and make room for a likable, 6-foot shooting guard who is averaging 20 points a game overall and prefers humility over fanfare.
“It was great to reach this in a win,” said Powers. “Everything is a lot more fun when you are winning.”
Holding the souvenir basketball, Malvern senior Will Powers is flanked by his mother and father.
Powers did not spend an exorbitant amount of time wondering how he would specifically reach history. He noticed some irony in how it came together.
“I thought about it before, but I tried to not let it affect me and just play my game,” said Powers. “I thought it was pretty funny because a few of my (senior) teammates – Ryan McNulty, Jimmy Murray, and Liam Wheeler – actually shoot half-court shots pretty often after practice, so it was pretty funny it happened on a half-court shot.”
The game was stopped for about two minutes to allow Powers appropriate congrats and the customary souvenir basketball hand-off to relatives – usually, as in this case, parents.
Malvern seniors Jimmy Murray, Mike Narzikul, Will Powers, and Ryan McNulty pose with with the 1,000th-point souvenir basketball.
“I am extremely honored to be able to join the club,” he said. “I am definitely excited to reach this mark in my career.”
Malvern coach John Harmatuk was able to empty his entire bench, and 13 overall players benefited. Powers, junior Tommy Wolfe (13 points), and sophomore O’Shaan Allison (10 points) led the starters; senior Liam Wheeler led the subs with a season-high eight. Malvern defeated Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy 90-50.
Now at 12-8 overall and 4-2 in the Inter-Ac, the Friars can still conceivably force a three-way tie for first before the season ends. Episcopal Academy and Germantown Academy remain on their schedule.
Notes: Powers became the third Inter-Ac player to score 1,000 points this season, joining Episcopal Academy junior Nick Alikakos and Germantown Academy senior Devon Goodman . . . The next Inter-Ac player to reach 1,000 will come from Germantown Academy, as juniors Evan-Eric Longino (818) and Kyle McCloskey (725) are primed for 2016-17 glory.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)