PETALUMA — Tyler Hunt scored career point 1,000 by hitting the front end of a one-and-one late in the third quarter, but the Middletown Mustangs fell 56-29 to the St. Vincent Mustangs in North Central League I interlock varsity boys” basketball action on Wednesday night in Petaluma.
Hunt needed 17 points to reach 1,000 and he finished with 20 as Middletown (5-12) had its two-game winning streak snapped. He is the fourth Middletown player to reach 1,000 points and is just 64 away from breaking the school record of 1,066 (see graphic below).
“It couldn”t happen to a nicer kid,” Middletown coach Mike Mullin said.
After Hunt”s milestone free throw late in the third quarter, Mullin called a timeout so that his senior forward and teammates could enjoy the moment.
“I called a timeout and they (officials) gave it back to me after they found out what it was all about,” Mullin said. “We didn”t let the refs know before the game, but they told me they wouldn”t charge me one, which was a nice thing for them to do.”
St. Vincent announced Hunt”s feat on the gym PA system and he received a warm round of applause from fans of both teams.
“For being on the road, it was as nice as it could be,” Mullin said.
Middletown fans also held up a banner acknowledging Hunt”s 1,000th career point.
St. Vincent led only 15-10 after one quarter but began to pull in the second period.
“They play hard and you don”t get a lot of good looks against them,” Mullin said. “When you do, you better make your shots because you”re not going to get very many second chances.”
St. Vincent led 29-15 at halftime and 44-23 after three quarters.
“They just wear you down,” Mullin said. “They make you play bad.”
Dylan Galusha”s four points were the next highest Middletown total after Hunt”s team-leading 20.
Hunt is averaging a Lake County-best 23 points a game.
The Mustangs open their NCL I North schedule Friday night in Willits.
