Bethie Morgan has served as Palmerton’s floor general for the past four seasons.

Morgan’s ability to score points, while also running the show offensively, has made her one of the most productive point guards in Times News area recent history.

Morgan’s approach to the game has always been to get her teammates involved early and often.

Despite that style, however, Morgan’s offensive skill helped her become the 12th girls’ basketball player in Palmerton history to surpass the 1,000-point scoring plateau.

Needing just two points to achieve the coveted 1,000-point milestone heading into the Bombers’ Jan. 17 matchup against Catasauqua, Morgan took care of business early on her way to a game-high 15-point performance in a win over the Rough Riders.

“It is certainly cool to walk into the gym and see my name up on that banner, but all the credit has to go to my coaches and my teammates,” said Morgan. “That is just not my achievement. That is an achievement that I share with all the teammates that I have played with over the years, because without them I wouldn’t have been able to score 1,000 points.

“There have been so many times where, if I wasn’t hitting shots and I needed to lean on them. I really just want to thank my teammates.”

Over the past four years, the Palmerton offense has known no other leader than Morgan, and although her passing prowess has been impressive, it’s been her ability to score from the point guard position that has helped the Bombers become one of the top teams in the Colonial League throughout her career.

Morgan burst onto the scene as a freshman, leading the team in scoring at 12.61 points per game. She has been a consistent scorer ever since, and has been able to do it in a variety of ways. Morgan has shown the ability to get to the rim, score from the free-throw line, and also hit from behind arc.

She averaged 11.41 ppg. as a sophomore, 13.48 ppg. as a junior and is averaging 14.62 ppg. this season. She has also hit 79 three-point field goals in her career.

“There is no doubt she has been the leader out there for us over the years. She is just such a dynamic player, said Palmerton head coach Dan Beck. “She can post up, she can get to the basket, and she can shoot the three. She almost averages almost six rebounds a game playing point guard. She is the best all-around basketball player I have coached here in my five years at Palmerton.

“I knew she was going to be a player for us early on in her eighth-grade summer going into her freshman year. We were in a tournament playing against Emmaus and she got blocked at the rim, but didn’t pout or put her head down. She fought to get the ball back after the block and scored a layup. That’s how she plays the game.”

Morgan - whose playing days started in her driveway and later at the S.S. Palmer Elementary School with her dad as her coach - credited her competitiveness with her success.

“I really adapted a love and competitiveness for the game from my dad, who played basketball in high school. He was my coach growing up, and I appreciate everything he and my mom have done for me in all the sports I have played,” said Morgan. “But the one thing I have always had as a kid as an athlete is that I hate to lose,” said Morgan. “I think if anything has helped shape the type of athlete I am, it’s that drive to win.”

Morgan’s attitude has not just led to personal success, but it has also help(ed drive Palmerton to team success during her career. During her four years in the program, Palmerton has a 71-21 record, and a year ago captured a District 11 Class 3A championship.

The Bombers and Morgan are currently enjoying another stellar season that has produced an 18-3 record to date. Palmerton has already secured berths in the Colonial League and District 11 playoffs.

The chance for more wins and championships has Morgan looking forward to postseason play.

“I am excited with the opportunities we have left this season,” said Morgan. “That Colonial League Championship game loss from last season still hurts. It has been 25 years since we won a league championship, so we want to win both that, and another district title this season.”