Palmerton senior Kelsey Hay reached a milestone in her impressive career when she topped the 1,000-point mark in last Friday's season debut at Lehighton. A celebration took place with friends and family congratulating her on the court.

"After I got off the court and my dad pulled me aside and said, 'I was thinking about when you scored your first bucket in a game when you were five,'" she said.Jim was referring to Kelsey's first organized game points through Lehigh Township's program at the Washington School in Northampton. "I thought it was funny that that's what he said to me first, but he's been there with me from the beginning, being my biggest coach and biggest supporter," Kelsey added.It's the strong support system that makes Hay so grateful for her accomplishments. Her dad, along with mom, Milissa, her brother, sister, grandparents and a ton of other family members were on hand at Friday's game to witness the feat."Having my family there to see it was great," Hay stated. "From my grandparents down to my last cousin, they were all there and it's something I'll remember forever."With that driving layup, Hay officially has her name now etched in a long history of outstanding athletes as an accomplished figure in Palmerton sports greatness. Despite the individual nature of this feat, she is the first to reflect the attention to others aiding her throughout the process."From my freshman year up through now, I have loved playing with the teammates I had," Hay claimed. "They've been great and unselfish and I couldn't have done this without them. Also, they never undermined what I've done on the court or in games."Head coach Don Delich commented on the same topic, "It's an individual goal, but I've told the other girls to think of how they all played a role in this accomplishment, as well. I told the girls before the game, too, that when she scores (the 1,000th), it isn't just a celebration of Kelsey attaining a numerical goal. It's validation of a program with a finite number of contributors to this goal.""There is a lot of responsibility on her shoulders," Delich reiterated. "As reigning MVP of the Colonial League, she will attract attention. But with Kelsey's talent, she steps on the court and makes everyone around her a better player. Her job on this team goes far beyond scoring."Looking at Hay's career, there is plenty of reason for satisfaction. However, in her senior year, given her desire as a competitor and drive for team success, a championship is in the 'cross-hairs.'"I'm totally honored to have my name up on that banner with all of those amazing athletes," Hay laughed. "But 2012 would look just as awesome under a girls' basketball league championship.""I'd like to say 'thanks' to my parents," Hay said. "They've inspired me to play, and to do so many other things. I don't think my grandparents have missed any of my games or anything special in my life. My teammates and Coach Delich - the past four years, he has been such a helpful coach and has been willing to put me on a different level and pushes me to be my best. I'm really lucky."