History was made on Jan. 21, 2025 for Londonderry basketball. Not just one, but two athletes reached the milestone of 1,000 career points on the same night!
Girls’ basketball junior Sammie Sullivan and boys’ basketball senior Mason Paquette both achieved this accomplishment.
Sullivan shoots for history
“It was a pretty special moment for me,” Sullivan said. “I felt a lot of support.”
Sullivan said she had a lot of help throughout the journey to 1000. Her teammates, like senior Reagan Anderson, gave her open looks and the whole Londonderry Basketball organization cheered her on along the way.
“I definitely couldn’t have without [my teammates],” Sullivan said. “We play as a team, and Reagan was looking for me extra. We just bond well together.”
Along with the teamwork shown during a game, Sullivan also puts in work over the offseason in order to become the best she can be by the start of the season.
Her hard work combined with the support of her teammates and family has pushed her to become First Team All-State as a Junior. But she isn’t satisfied, and is looking to her future as a basketball player.
“College is coming up,” Sullivan said, “so I’m thinking about my options for that. I also want to keep improving and do my best to better the team.”
Her future is bright as a basketball player, and she and her team can’t wait to see what they accomplish together.
Paquette pulls up for 1000
The other star of the night, Mason Paquette, also reached 1000 points despite a major setback at the beginning of his junior season. Prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, Paquette suffered an ankle injury that delayed the start of his year.
However, it did not hold him back.
He asked Londonderry Trainer Michelle Hart-Miller for exercises to do to strengthen his ankle. He worked hard on getting that ankle back to full strength as quick as possible\
As he started to heal, Paquette started to get back into the groove. But it took a lot of hard work to get back into “basketball shape” and become First Team All-State this past season.
“I started working out with a trainer, Vinny, who has helped me take my game to the next level,” Paquette said. “I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Paquette made it clear that his love for the game has driven him to reach the major goals he has achieved throughout his four years here at LHS.
“Growing up, I always looked up to NBA players as well as my dad,” Paquette said. “He is always pushing me and helping me to be my best.”
From his dad, to the teammates around him, Paquette said he always appreciates all the people who support him and push him to be the great player he is.
“I’m very grateful that I got to reach this goal around the group of guys that were around me,” Paquette said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches from basketball and even football. Plus Michelle has helped me so much.”
