- What does reaching 1,000 points mean to you personally?
Reaching 1,000 points means a lot to me because it shows how much work I’ve put in over the years. It’s not just about the number it represents early mornings in the gym, late nights shooting, and a lot of support from my coaches and teammates. It’s something I dreamed about when I was younger, so to actually reach it feels pretty special. - When did you first realize you were getting close to 1,000 points?
I really started paying attention toward the end of last season when coach mentioned I wasn’t too far off. This year, once people started talking about it more and it got down to the last 50–100 points, I realized it could actually happen pretty soon. - Did you feel any pressure going into the game knowing you were close to 1,000?
Yeah, for sure. I tried to treat it like just another game, but it’s hard when everyone knows and people are talking about it before tipoff. I felt like I didn’t want to force anything or let it change how I play, but I definitely felt a little extra pressure to hit that milestone. - How did it feel in the moment when you scored the basket that got you to 1,000?
In the moment it almost didn’t feel real. I heard the crowd react, and then I saw my teammates and coaches cheering, and that’s when it really hit me. It was just a mix of relief, excitement, and gratitude all at once. - Did you keep the game ball or anything from the moment?
Yeah, they stopped the game for a second, and I got the game ball. I’m definitely keeping that. I’ll probably write the date and the team we played on it and keep it at home as a reminder of everything that went into that moment. - Now that you’ve reached 1,000, what goals do you have next?
Now my focus is more on team goals—finishing the season strong, winning our conference, and hopefully making a deep run in the postseason. Personally, I just want to keep improving my all‑around game and be the kind of player that makes everyone around me better. - What part of your game do you still want to improve the most?
I want to keep improving my defense and consistency. Scoring has always been a strength, but I want to be a lockdown defender and someone coach can trust in any situation. I also want to keep getting stronger and better at finishing through contact. - How did your teammates react when you hit 1,000 points?
They were awesome. They were the first ones to hug me and congratulate me. A lot of them were more excited than I was in the moment. It meant a lot because they’ve been a huge part of this—none of those points happen without them. - Looking back, what was the hardest part of your journey to 1,000 points?
The hardest part was staying confident during slumps and not getting discouraged. There were stretches where shots weren’t falling or I wasn’t playing well, and it’s easy to doubt yourself. Pushing through those times and still putting in work when things weren’t going great was probably the toughest part. - Who has helped you the most along the way (coaches, teammates, family)?
My family has been there from the start, driving me to practices, supporting me after tough games, and keeping me grounded. My coaches have also pushed me to be better and held me accountable. And my teammates—especially the older guys when I was younger—showed me how to work and how to compete. - How have you grown as a player since your first varsity game?
Since my first varsity game, I’ve grown a lot in terms of confidence and decision‑making. Back then I was nervous and just trying not to mess up. Now I’m more comfortable reading the game, trusting my shot, and being a leader on the floor. I understand the pace of the game better and I’m not afraid of big moments. - What sacrifices have you made to get to this point?
I’ve given up a lot of free time—less hanging out with friends, fewer weekends to just relax. There were early mornings, extra workouts, and times I had to say no to things I wanted to do because I knew I needed to be in the gym. But honestly, looking back, it was worth it for moments like this.
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Q&A with Jack McGuire
March 4, 2026
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About the Contributor
Candace Thompson, Reporter