Reaching the “Grand Club” has been a goal of Emily Zoscin since she started playing junior high basketball at Weatherly.

Last Thursday night against Minersville, the Wrecker junior reached that goal.

“She’s such a fantastic kid who is all about the team, and that’s what makes her even more special,” said her coach Kevin Kringe, who knows a little about hitting such a mark. He himself did it as a superb player at Hazleton Area. “Emily wants to win so badly. I know she would trade in a lot of those points to help us win a divisional championship or a district championship.”

Zoscin became the 23rd player overall in the long and storied history of basketball at Weatherly to hit the 1,000 point plateau — and just the fifth girl to surpass the milestone.

Zoscin joins Amy Sandt (2,311), Sue Sernak (1,888), Lauren Kelshaw (1,769) and Megan Graham (1,016) as females on that exclusive list at Weatherly.

Zoscin reached the mark against a Minersville team that has been a dominant force in the Schuylkill League and in Pennsylvania small school girls basketball in recent years.

“She had to earn those points, and she’s a fantastic player,” said Minersville’s Jared Homa, the head coach of the three-time defending Schuylkill League champs and last year’s Class 2A state champions.

Like almost all of Weatherly’s opponents, Minersville was concentrating on not allowing Zoscin an easy path. They threw all kinds of defensive pressure at her from the moment the ball tipped off.

“They came at me pretty hard,” explained Zoscin after the game. “I looked up one time and they had like three players trying to force me to pick up my dribble.”

What makes Zoscin so good is her discipline. She doesn’t force the issue, and most times lets the game come to her.

“Obviously we depend on her to get us points, but Emily looks to get her teammates involved as much as anything,” said Kringe. “Yeah, she is our go-to-girl, but she also sees the floor so well. She can pass it as well as any player that I’ve been around.”

Her father, Scott, is the athletic director and JV coach. “I’m just so proud of her efforts,” he said chocking up as he looked on.

When Zoscin pumped in two foul shots with 4:09 remaining in the third quarter, the Weatherly gymnasium erupted.

There was a bouquet of Orange and Black flowers being presented, a special encased ball depicting her achievement, and a congratulatory sign as her mother, father and brother stood proudly next to her with cameras and cell phones flicking pictures.

You knew how special Zoscin is and how special the night was going to be from the opening tip as the Wreckers student body showed up in full force cheering every time she scored, and adjusting the countdown sign until she reached the ultimate goal.

“I was hoping we would win,” said Emily. “We play in one of the toughest leagues in the state. Hopefully games like this will help us get ready down the road for districts.”

Spoken like a true winner and a leader — and also like the latest 1,000 point scorer at Weatherly High School.