For Gavin Nelson basketball is just a part of life.

He has been playing organized basketball since elementary school and most of his friendships have come through playing basketball.

Whether it was youth basketball, middle school or varsity basketball, Nelson has kept friendships that have spanned all levels and makes even more friends along the way. Those friends and his family celebrated Nelson reaching the 1,000-point milestone in his home gym when he came in with 999 points and sank the first basket of the game to reach the mark.

“It was an awesome feeling,” said the senior. “It was great because all of my teammates were here and friends and family. It was a good feeling to get it on my home court, too. I think it’s a big accomplishment not just for me, but for the team because they have been so important in helping me in my career.”

Nelson likely would have hit the record a couple of nights earlier at Bangor, but with the Tigers holding a healthy lead late in the game, Nelson sat down for a break and to give other players an opportunity to gain some varsity minutes. That set up the home celebration that came Jan. 2 in a nonleague win over Kutztown.

The mark was special because of another person that was in attendance: Sam Yadush. Now an assistant coach with the team, Yadush is someone that Nelson has looked up to and admired. Much of that admiration came from Nelson watching Yadush reach the 1,000-point mark in his senior season back in 2019.

“I saw Sam do it and I have always wanted to get up there,” said Nelson. “Sam and I connect really well, and he knows me almost like a brother would. He knows how I play. He knows when I get irritated and helps me to fix it. He can see when I’m getting frustrated out there and he’ll pull me aside and tell me about how he went through the same things and it really helps.”

Two games after reaching the 1,000-point mark, Nelson surpassed Yadush on the career points list, moving ahead of Yadush’s 1,036 career points.

“I have always loved to play basketball,” said Nelson, “and I really wanted to get 1,000 points, but the winning atmosphere here has been amazing. I don’t think this would feel nearly as good if we weren’t winning and having so much fun together. In addition to my friends, I know my family has always been there and they’ve been cheering me on.”

“Gavin has been great to have on the team,” said Tiger head coach Patrick Wanamaker. “He brings a lot of energy to the court and really sets a great example for the other guys in practice. It was great to see him reach that milestone because he works so hard at the game and I’m proud of him.”

Nelson is not going to be playing basketball in college. Instead, he will be a high jumper on the Monmouth University track team.

“I’ve always loved track, too, so I think it’s a great opportunity for me and I am really looking forward to it,” said the future health sciences major.

Northwestern still has six regular season games remaining and league and district playoffs to compete in before Nelson’s high school career comes to an end.