The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
VASJ’s Higgins nets mark in grand fashion
Jerry Higgins scored his first basket in Villa AngelaSt. Joseph’s 2015-16 seasonopener. That day, then-senior Carlton Bragg was presented with a basketball commemorating his 1,000 career points — a mark he surpassed in the Vikings’ state championship victory won in March 2015.
Two years later, Higgins joined Bragg and many other Vikings in an illustrious group.
Higgins’ layup midway through the second quarter against New Day on Dec. 23 pushed the two-time state champion past the 1,000-point plateau. He entered the game 13 points away from 1,000.
“I feel like that was the hardest 13 points I ever had to get,” Higgins said. “But it was great to reach that milestone. I had to make sure my teammates knew it wasn’t all about me. It was all about those teammates that helped me get there, ones I played with previously I learned from, held me accountable.”
Coach Babe Kwasniak called timeout as Higgins was honored at midcourt with a commemorative basketball. He was joined by more than a score of current and former teammates, including Northwestern’s Dererk Pardon, Marist’s Brian Parker, Mo Johnson, and Will Butler and Danny McGarry from last year’s championship team.
Higgins finished with 17 points in a 79-37 victory against New Day.
“It was great to have all the guys come back to watch that game,” Higgins said.
“I know it wasn’t the best game, but seeing them all come back just to see that moment, it meant a lot to me.”
VASJ’s 1,000-point club is particularly exclusive, as notable former players such as Pardon, All-Ohio guard Nate Barnes and current Evansville guard Duane Gibson did not reach the milestone.
Higgins said he doesn’t know how to feel about the achievement yet, something he thinks he will appreciate in later years. For now, Higgins is keen to learn who holds VASJ’s all-time assists record.
“I pride myself on doing so many other things than just scoring,” Higgins said. “I’ve had some really good teammates that have put me in a position to score. If I could get the assists ... then that’d probably be the milestone to reach.”
The Vikings head to Knightstown, Ind., this weekend to play West Lafayette Harrison (Ind.), at the Hoosier Gym where the 1986 film “Hoosiers” was filmed.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the history and actually getting to play on the floor,” Higgins said. “A lot of our guys haven’t watched the movie actually. We’re probably going to watch it on the way down.”
Aside from the history lesson, Higgins has seen his younger teammates progress. Higgins is the only player in Kwasniak’s rotation who has played meaningful varsity minutes.
The Vikings carry a three-game winning streak into their road trip. VASJ has led in each of its three losses, which came to Cleveland Heights, St. VincentSt. Mary and Evansville (Ind.) Fort Wayne North.
“I think we’re coming along well,” Higgins said. “Our record may not show that because we’ve played some really tough teams, but I believe when it comes to the end of the season, we’re going to start clicking. We’ll notice the progress we’ve made in those games.”