T-L Photo/KIM NORTH MONROE CENTRAL junior Kalista Friday recently scored her 1,000th career point in a game at Martins Ferry.

WOODSFIELD — Ever since she stepped onto the basketball court as a freshman, Kalista Friday has been an integral part of the Monroe Central girls basketball program.

Three years later, the junior recently became the sixth Seminole female player to surpass the 1,000-point barrier. The 5’3″ point guard did so by meshing a three-point basket during a win at Martins Ferry.

“Kalista has had a basketball in her hands a lot of her life. She works and works and it finally paid off for her,” Monroe Central girls basketball head coach Troy Baker said. “That’s always good to see.”

Others who have reached the elite club include the program’s all-time leading scorer Hillary Lekrone, who amassed 1,342 career points; Kristi Cecil; Aleisha Guiler; and the Kuhn Sisters — Alex and Allison.

In addition to her scoring, Friday also stuffs the stat sheet with rebounds, steals and assists.

“She can do it all,” Baker said. “It’s just not scoring for her. She’s a great player to have in your lineup.”

Baker said he feels attaining her goal will help relieve some pressure from Friday’s shoulders.

“I think it (the pressure) was getting to her a little, not in her playing, but it was on her mind,” he noted.

Friday readily agreed.

“It feels good to finally get it and be able to play freely again. I had been thinking about it a good bit.”

Although she knew the achievement was possible, she wasn’t quite sure how many points she needed.

“I didn’t even realize that I was that close until I shot the free throws,” she offered of the two charity tosses that gave her 997. “It was definitely nice to get it in a win,” she said with a slight smile.

Friday is a two-time All-Ohioan and a three-time All-OVAC first-teamer.