The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor grad is LEC’s all-time leading scorer
Kayla Gabor can’t remember the age she began playing basketball. Organized ball? “Probably third or fourth grade,” said the Mentor graduate.
One thing is certain: Gabor has always been a gym rat.
That love of the hardwood at an early age has made Gabor a standout. With her college career nearing the home stretch, the Lake Erie College senior has achieved something special.
With 20 points in the Storm’s 70-51 loss at Kentucky Wesleyan, Gabor became the program’s alltime leading scorer. Gabor’s point total currently stands at 1,473 in 92 career games, an average of 16 points per game. She surpassed Amber Garnet, who set the record with 1,459 points from 1990 to 1994.
“(The record) would have been much better with a win,” said Gabor, who also had seven rebounds and four assists in the game.
“But it was nice to get the record, and I never really could have forecasted this when I got here. (Kentucky Wesleyan) even announced it during the game, so I was appreciative of that.”
Gabor just missed setting the mark at home, but a unique start to the season is the reason the milestone was set on the road. After hosting a tournament to start the season, the Storm (5-5) played eight straight road games.
After the holiday break, they return home for a stretch of 10 games in Painesville in their next 12.
“We’ve been living in the bus and hotels, so it will be nice being at home,” said Gabor.
LEC’s next game is Dec. 30 vs. Trevecca Nazarene. During that game, it’s expected there will be a ceremony honoring Gabor’s achievement.
It’s been quite a run for her. She’s never missed a game, and has improved her scoring average since arriving on campus. As a freshman, Gabor averaged 12.5 points, then 14.8 and 4.7 rebounds as a sophomore.
As an upperclassman, she really took off. In 201617, Gabor averaged a conference-best 19.1 points, and surpassed 1,000 points in her career. This season, she’s one of three on the team averaging doublefigures in scoring at 21.1 points.
Fellow Mentor graduate Christine Dawson, who starts at center and had 17 points and 15 rebounds Dec. 19, averages 10.9 points and 11.0 rebounds. Ashley West of Cornerstone Christian is chipping in at a 7.1 scoring clip.
There is no doubt, though, that the offense centers around Gabor, who at 5-foot-10 is a big Division II shooting guard.
She enjoys driving the lane, and can finish a number of ways, but Gabor makes a living with her outside shot. She’s averaging 47.3 percent from the field, 42.3 from 3-point range, and an impressive 90.7 on free throws.
“Free throws are definitely key. Those are gamechangers,” she said. “A lot of close games are won or lost by free throws, so I work hard at them.”
Gabor came to LEC known as a scorer, as she averaged 20 points in her senior season at Mentor. Coach Bob Booher encourages Gabor to keep shooting and scoring, which has made all the difference.
“Coach wants me to shoot and be a scorer,” said Gabor. “To get a record like this, a lot depends who you play with and what kind of coaching you get.”
Gabor might be a gym rat, but it’s not always about hoops. She will graduate this spring with a doublemajor in math and accounting, plus a minor in business. “I lose a lot of sleep, but I make it work,” said Gabor about her workload.
With the record intact, Gabor and the Storm can focus on making a bit of run with 10 of their next 12 at home. Gabor is looking forward to spending time at home celebrating the holidays — and her career achievement — with her family. As for her teammates, they don’t want Gabor to be satisfied. There are 18 regular-season games remaining for Gabor to pad her lead.
“I’ve had a couple of my teammates say, ‘Now you can make it impossible for anyone to catch you,’ ” she said.