The Community R-6 boys had reason to celebrate on Thursday at home.

Community R-6 girls, boys vs New Franklin Photo Gallery

The Trojans lost 86-29 to Central Activities Conference foe and Class 2 No. 6 New Franklin after the Bulldogs (13-2, 5-0 CAC) had 13 players score and finish with 14 3-pointers, but senior Mason Carroll was recognized for scoring his 1,000th career point on the same night.

Carroll had already reached the milestone in the Trojans’ previous game against Fayette about two weeks ago in the New Franklin tournament by scoring 27 points. He went off those three games for a total of 67 and a 22.3 average so it wasn’t a surprise he was at 1,000. However, Carroll was still surprised thanks to the efforts of his family and coaches.

“I thought I was over, but I wasn’t going to confirm I was,” Carroll said. “I didn’t ask (head coach Kody Asquith) at all, but my parents asked and they went from there on.”

Asquith said it was intentionally kept a secret from Carroll and his teammates — to increase security — so Carroll could have a nice moment in front of the home crowd. Members of the crowd thought Carroll was close as well so they had the signs prepared as the Trojans (3-11, 1-3 CAC) went into an official timeout after he nailed a free throw. 

The plan, according to Asquith, was to give Carroll his moment as soon as he scored. The shot went down, the signs and cheers went up and Carroll’s emotions went even higher.

“It was a shock,” Carroll said. “I heard the whistle, thought it was a timeout so I figured I just got it.”

Carroll led Community once as he has done all year with 12 points. Asquith said he appreciates all the leadership Carroll brings with his production, but his admirable attitude when it comes to self-improvement is the best way he leads the Trojans and why he is a career 1,000-point scorer.

“Mason has put in the work — in-season and out of season,” Asquith said. “He deserves it. He’s always the first kid that shows up to practice — sometimes, even an hour early, if you let him. He’s always asking, ‘Hey, can I get in the gym.’ He’s just that kind of kid.”

This season, Carroll said it’s important for him to be the leader and that includes his behavior outside of games. He said he takes the same attitude into every sport he plays so he is also asking head baseball coach Joel Krato for more practice time.

“I just want to show the underclassmen what it takes to get 1,000, what it takes to win games and that it’s hard and not easy,” Carroll said. 

All that work has paid off as Carroll is the 21st Trojan in school history to reach 1,000 points and is the second in as many years. His baseball rotation mate Gavin Allen reached the milestone last season before he and Carroll pitched the Trojans to a state Final Four.

After playing since third grade, Carroll became a full-time starter in high school varsity basketball in his sophomore season and kept working until he said he developed a rhythm between his sophomore and junior year. The rest is history.

“I started figuring the game out and figuring out how to score more,” Carroll said.

“He’s 100 percent with everything he does,” Asquith said. “He’s a good shooter, he can drive to the basket well and he can shoot outside. Offensively, he’s a monster and we’re going to miss him next year.” 

It did take Community a few possessions for Carroll to score, despite his teammates incessant attempts to give him opportunities. Once again, Asquith said this wasn’t because his teammates knew the special moment coming for Carroll but rather because he is such a vital part of their offense.

Community’s offense had a down night because of the tough defense shown by New Franklin, who remained undefeated in conference play and is in its seventh straight season of allowing less than 50 points per game. Asquith said the Bulldogs throw waves of players at opponents, distributing offensive production, but also helps with their strategy of playing tough man-to-man defense.

“When you can just rotate your second five in and third five in, who are as good as their first five, that helps a lot,” Asquith said. “They’re active, and they can force a lot of turnovers, which you saw from us tonight. We’ve struggled with turnovers this year and proved it tonight again.”

To open the Sturgeon tournament next week, Community plays Class 2 No. 1 Salisbury (14-1) at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the middle school gym.