Back-to-back sectional titles are not the only milestone the McQuaid Jesuit basketball Knights accomplished this year.

The Knights finished their regular season on a four-game win streak, with a Senior Night victory over Leadership Academy. But with all the attention on the seniors, junior guard Kobe Long quietly reached the 1,000-point milestone, as the Knights avenged an earlier season loss by defeating Leadership 75-63 with Long pouring in 18 points.

“I was aware that I was close to 1,000 points,” Long said. “I was actually 3 points away, but I did not prepare any differently.”

While his preparation may have stayed the same, Long admits that this superlative milestone was always in the back of his mind.

“It was a little nerve racking, though,” explained Long, “purely because I wanted to get it so bad.”

With a scoreboard in the back of his mind, Long remained cool and collected under pressure, helping the team reach a (15-4) record for the regular season.

Remaining humble, Long explained that his basketball success would not be possible without the love and support of his family.

“My dad and my mom have helped me tremendously,” Long said. “They have gotten me to where I am and continue to make me better everyday.”

Once a skinny freshman playing alongside the likes of McQuaid giants Isaiah Stewart and Cam Wilson, Long has become a fearless floor general, always working harder to perfect his craft.

“My biggest improvements are my abilities to score at the basket,” explained Long. “My handle has gotten a lot better. I also picked up my free throw percentage tremendously, and I am shooting about 90 percent from the line.”

Long now enters a prestigious club of past 1,000-point knights, joining legends such as Tom Sheehy, ‘83, Greg Woodard, ‘88, and his head coach Jack Leasure, ‘04, among others.

While individual milestones are exciting, the Knights as a team have flown through the sectional tournament so far, and will take on Section VI champions Niagara Falls this saturday at Greece Athena High School.