NEW MADISON, Ohio -- February 2, 2012

By Palladium Item - Sports Editor Josh Chapin

After reaching 2,000 points for her career, Kayla Linkous sprinted up the stands and into the fourth row to greet her family with the game ball -- and some hugs.

Then, she went right back to work.

Business has been good for Linkous and the Tri-Village girls basketball program in her four years there, and Thursday night represented a special moment for both her and the Patriots.

With 4 minutes to play in the second quarter, Linkous became only the third girls basketball player in Ohio to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. The others, Tamika Williams and Kaayla Chones, both went on to stardom in college and the WNBA.

For Linkous, it was just another day at the office. She finished with game highs of 23 points and 18 rebounds, and Tri-Village finished off its 17th win of the season by knocking off CCC foe Mississinawa Valley 77-28.

"It was nice because we had everyone here supporting us, the team," said Linkous, who netted her 2,000th on Tri-Village's senior night. "It was nice to have the whole community here.

"I liked being able to share it with (my parents) and my whole family. I just wanted to come out and play like we normally do and get the win."

It was also career win No. 100 for Tri-Village coach Brad Gray, who is in his sixth year leading the Patriots.

It was never in doubt, as Tri-Village surged from the very start.
The Patriots scored the game's first seven points, led 42-10 by halftime and limited Mississinawa Valley to five points total in the second and third quarters.

"As far as the offensive end, defensive end and transitioning, I thought that was the best game we've played this year," Gray said. "I think there might have been some games where we were a little better offensively, but we were really good on offense tonight, too."

They were certainly balanced, with Krystal Falknor and Shaye Thomas each netting 17 points for the Patriots (17-1, 9-1).
Ecko Brown, Heather Ferris and Elizabeth Collins contributed six points each, while Falknor and Thomas both pulled down eight rebounds. Teha Richards added five more rebounds.

"We were trying to complete a full game, because we haven't really done that this year," Thomas said. "We came out and were pumped up because of Kayla and we kind of got it done.

"It was senior night, so that made it even more exciting. ... All the kids at school were really excited about it, so that even got us more excited, and all of them being here, it was really neat."

Linkous scored four points in the first quarter, then made a free throw to start the second.

Two more inside baskets followed, and Linkous made it to 2,000 on a transition layup at the exact midpoint of the quarter.

The Cedarville-bound senior rolled from there, scoring 12 more points in the third quarter on 6-of-6 shooting from the field in the frame.

"To win and for her to get 2,000 is great," Gray said. "If we would have lost tonight's game and she would have got 2,000, it wouldn't have meant anything to her. If we would have won tonight and she wouldn't have got 2,000, she would have been completely OK with it. That's the type of kid that she is.

" ... She hasn't really let it sink in how many kids have actually played basketball in the state of Ohio. The number has to be just a huge, huge number of how many thousands of kids have played basketball in the state of Ohio. There are only two other kids who have done what she's done. I don't know that I even understand it right now."

According to the OHSAA website, 45 more players have reached 2,000 points in girls basketball, and 18 more have 1,000 rebounds.

Not many have done both, though.

"I guess I can't really get my mind around it," Linkous said. "I'd rather just go and win all of our games than think about the individual side."

Tri-Village plays host Saturday to Ansonia.

A loud and boisterous home crowd definitely helped make Thursday a special night in New Madison.

"At the beginning of the game ... the electric atmosphere when they were doing that starting lineup, I had chills," Gray said. "I was emotional during that starting lineup because I don't know if I can recall the atmosphere being as electric as it was tonight.

" ... The community is just really behind us. They love basketball here.