Rettig notches 1,000th career point in Rosary's win

Just 32 seconds into Rosary's basketball game against rival Aurora Central Catholic, Jordan Rettig appeared to be ready to score her 1,000th point of her high school career.

Rettig, a junior, entered the game with 999 points in two and a half seasons, and was at the free throw line. To her surprise, she missed both shots and her first two shots. Finally, with 4:41 on the clock, she scored on a putback, which allowed her to become the third player in Rosary history to hit the milestone.

In the end, Rettig finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Royals' 41-16 win over the Chargers at Rosary Tuesday in Suburban Catholic Conference action.

"I think I was thinking about it too much," Rettig said. "I had several opportunities, and I missed them, but I finally got it. After that, I just relaxed."

After Rettig hit the milestone, the game was stopped and she was given the game ball. Following the game, she was given a small trophy with a basketball on it. Jill Krivacek (class of 2003) and Elyse Van Bogaert (class of 2006) are the other two players in school history to eclipse 1,000 points.

"It's outstanding," said Rosary coach Dave Beebe, who has coached all three players who hit the milestone. "I knew she was nervous about it... but she was glad to get it over with. She's not one of those limelight people. She knows her role on the team and does her job."

Once the excitement died down, the Royals (13-3, 3-2) capped the first quarter on an 8-0 run. They ended up outscoring the Chargers 13-1 in the second for a 25-5 advantage at the break.

"To hold them to five, I was very happy with that," Beebe said.

ACC's only point of the quarter arrived on a free throw from Michelle DeSimone early in the quarter. The Chargers (5-8, 0-3) didn't score again until Brooke Frantzen's bucket with 4:41 left in the third, but by then, Rosary led by 20 points.

The Royals' largest lead of the game was 41-14 after a basket from Meghan Gannon with 2:01 remaining in the game.

"I told the girls, (Rosary's) program is where we need to be," ACC coach Mark Fitzgerald said. "They have to learn to believe in themselves, and they are getting there. I'm not discouraged at all."