Caines tops 1,000

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Elk Lake senior Karley Caines topped the milestone of 1,000 points as a member of the Warrior girls' basketball team last week.

Caines, 17, of Meshoppen, dropped in a layup during the Warriors loss to Forest City on Wednesday night for her 1,001th point.

"I was just thinking, this is crazy," Caines said. "My whole team flooded the floor and surrounded me. It was amazing."

In getting ready to hit the court on Wednesday against Forest City, Caines took part in her normal rituals of listening to music on the bus on the way to the game, and doing a team cheer before the game.

And at the start of the game, Caines knew that she was a mere 10 points away from getting her place in an elite club which includes her cousin Becky Caines (1998), and seven others.

"I was hoping to get it that night," Caines said on Thursday. "And I did. It was exciting."

Caines had 11 points that night to reach 1,000.

Looking back on her younger years playing basketball, it was never something that Caines thought would be a possibility.

"In my freshman and sophomore years I didn't think it would happen," Caines said. "I thought, ‘that's not me, I'm not that good.'"

However, during her junior year, Caines knew that she was closing in on it, and if she applied herself, it was a distinct possibility.

She attributes her success in the sport at Elk Lake to a strong support system she's had throughout her years as a player.

"My team, coaches and my family has always really supported me," Caines said. "They saw something in me early, and pushed me."

Point producing has always been one of Caines' many roles on the court, but not one that she concentrates on.

"I don't just grab the ball and shoot," Caines said. "I'm always looking to find an open person to give the ball to."

It's no wonder that Caines has found such success, as she has been playing organized basketball since fifth grade and practices whenever she can with her sister Kelsey on their backyard hoop.

In addition to her role on the basketball team, Caines also plays volleyball and softball for the Warriors.

On Wednesday, Caines said her entire family was a part of celebrating her great achievement and said that her father Victor, a former high school wrestler, and mother Michelle, former high school basketball player, were both great influences on her.

Looking ahead, Caines will enter Mansfield University in the fall and is looking at either education or physical therapy as her possible majors.

Caines also said that since the school doesn't have a volleyball team, she will likely seek to be a part of the Mansfield Lady Mountaineer basketball team.

As for finishing out the rest of her time with the Lady Warrior basketball team, Caines is looking to help them have a successful second half of the season and pick up some more wins.