BY AMANDA CAIN
Lions’ Pride Staff Writer

Photograph by Mike Carlson Holloway celebrates with teammate, Melissa Guerero, after scoring her 1,000th point.

In what will surely be remembered as one of Saint Leo University’s most extraordinary athletic feats, senior Amanda Holloway of the women’s basketball team scored her 1000^th career point on Saturday, January 19, 2008. 

Although the team fell 63-50 to conference rival Nova Southeastern, the momentous pride and satisfaction felt by both Holloway and her teammates can’t be denied.  Holloway entered the day’s game needing just 10 points to finalize her place in the record books, and with only 4:32 remaining in the second half, she scored on a lay-up.  Holloway is now one of only eight players in Saint Leo women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points in her collegiate career. 

With her family looking on from the stands, Holloway put her heart into reaching the record. “When I scored my first basket I knew I only had 8 to go.  Eventually, I lost track of the points because I started scoring back to back. My sister made a countdown poster for me, so when I looked at her in the crowd I knew how many baskets I needed.”Holloway recalls feeling normal and focused soley on what was going on in the overall game before she scored the 1000th point. “Before I scored that last basket, I felt relaxed and calm. When I scored, I was excited because I had finally reached the record, but a few seconds after, my attention went back to the game at hand,” reflected Holloway. In her four years at Saint Leo, Holloway has led the Lions with outstanding dedication on the court. This season, Holloway has scored an average of 13.9 points per game.  The 1000^th point being scored on the Lion’s home court only added to the excitement and meaningfulness of her record.  “We were all very excited for Amanda when she scored the 1000^th point.  The team was happy that the record could be reached on our home court in front of our home fans; I’m sure that moment is something she will remember for a long time to come,” commented senior teammate Melissa Guerero.Holloway’s next big goal for the remainder of the season is to finish above .500.  She also hopes to joing her team in the conference tournament at the end of the year. 

“She is a great player, and totally deserved to reach the 1000^th point,” said Junior Nichole Tyler

Holloway is surely a player who will be missed when the season is over but, until then, she will continue to earn her place in Leo history.