Kody Kratzer started out his basketball career shooting jump shots on a Little Tikes basketball hoop when he was just a toddler. Kratzer, who is presently a 6-2 senior in high school playing for Palmerton, shoots at a much bigger hoop now, and it turns out he’s pretty good at the game he’s been practicing for so many years.

On Jan. 21, Kratzer became the 12th Palmerton boys’ basketball player to surpass the 1,000-point mark in a narrow victory over Wilson. Kratzer scored a game high 22 points in the contest and with double-digit games left on the schedule, he will seemingly continue to climb the Bombers’ record books.

“Basketball puts me in a better mood. It honestly soothes me, and any time I’m feeling down about something, basketball just makes me feel better,” said Kratzer. “I love being able to compete with my friends, and I’d like to thank my parents, teammates and coaches for helping me to accomplish this. It was just great to share it with them.”

Kratzer’s continuous development in his four-year career for Palmerton has been paramount to his success. The numbers don’t lie with Kratzer, who made a huge jump in production from his sophomore to junior season. As a sophomore, Kratzer had a solid year, averaging just over 11 points per game, helping the Bombers win their first District 11 championship since the 1988-89 season. But as a junior, Kratzer exploded onto the scene, improving his average by 9.27 points per game and leading the team in scoring at 21 points per game. It was a season that ended in another District 11 postseason berth.

“I got the job here at Palmerton when Kody was in eighth grade, and his play and hard work has been part of the reason we’ve been able to turn things around, qualify for the postseason consistently and be a competitive program,” said Palmerton head coach Ken Termini. “He can do a lot of different things on the floor. He can pull up from deep, he can take it strong to the bucket, he can rebound and he’s really an underrated passer. He’s worked hard and I’m happy for him that he’s been able to accomplish this; I know it was one of his goals.”

Kratzer owes the big jump in his offensive production to a more physical style of play that he adapted during his junior season. He scored an impressive 504 points a season ago.

“I made it a focus for myself to play more physical my junior year. I was really just kind of a spot up shooter and had a floater in the lane I would go to, but I didn’t really take it all the way to basket,” said Kratzer. “I got to the rim more my junior year and used my length and also worked hard going after offensive rebounds.”

With the majority of scoring and experience from the Bombers’ previous postseason runs now graduated, Kratzer came into this season both the leading scorer and most experienced player on the team. Meaning, he would have to embrace more of a leadership role. Six games in, Kratzer is averaging 21.33 points per game.

“My role has definitely been different this season as far having to lead and be vocal on the court,” said Krazter. “I’ve been working on that; I’ve been working on trying to be more vocal and pump up my teammates. But I’m enjoying that role; I just like being out there with the guys competing.”

Kratzer’s 1,000-point accomplishment also earned him some extra bonus points in the friendly basketball rivalry he has with his father Kyle. Kyle Kratzer was a near 1,000-point scorer and was a member of the 1988-89 Palmerton team that won a District 11 championship before the Bombers ended the drought two seasons ago.

However, Kody Kratzer now has both accomplishments under his belt – 1,000-plus points and a district championship medal.

“He likes to bust me and he always did about winning a district title and being a part of those great teams. But now I have some ammunition, because we won a district title too and I was fortunately able to score 1,000 points,” said Kratzer. “But it’s all in fun; we have fun with it. My dad always had me out there shooting and practicing and was encouraging me. Without my parents I certainly wouldn’t be where I am.”