By: Kaylee Rivera
Girls varsity basketball player, Rian Jones-Dillihunt, scored 1,000 points on January 11 against Shafter, making her the first girl basketball player in El Diamante history to ever hit more than 1,000 points, and earning herself a spot in the Thousand Point Club.
Jones-Dillihunt has been a leading scorer for El Diamante all four years she has played on varsity. However, it wasn’t until her junior year that she realized the goal of 1,000 points was within reach.
Photo Creds: Joseph Nguyen
“It was an amazing accomplishment for me to reach 1,000, especially with me being the first girl on varsity to reach it,” she explains. “At first I was thinking it was impossible to reach 1,000 but at the end of junior year I had 736 points and I realized it was possible for me.”
Hitting that 1,000 point mark was a bittersweet experience for Jones-Dillihunt. Going into the game against Shafter, she had 11 points left to earn a spot in the Thousand Point Club and a crowd of people to watch her big accomplishment.
“I had mixed emotions,” Jones-Dillihunt expressed. “I was very excited for myself but when my friends came out with balloons and signs it was a teary moment to see the support I have.”
Despite her numerous fans and supporters cheering her on – teammates, coaches, friends, and family -Jones-Dillihunt’s biggest fan is her mom. Her mom has been the biggest influence on the skillful player she is today.
Photo Creds: Joseph Nguyen
“[My mom] pushed me to the max. She makes sure I have the resources to help me work on my craft outside of practice and games.” Jones-Dillhunt adds, “She always calls or texts me ‘How’s basketball been going?’ and posts me on her socials.”
As she looks back on her career at El Diamante, Jones-Dillihunt is most proud that she stepped into a leadership role for her teammates. She leaves her teammates with a high bar and a lesson that “anything is possible once you put your mind to it.”
Jones-Dillihunt’s junior teammate Angelina Morales has seen the forefront of her leadership. She states, “No matter what she is always trying her hardest to be a good team leader.
Although Jones-Dillihunt’s high school career is seeing an end, she isn’t ready to leave the basketball court. Now with her goal of 1,000 points being reached, she has a new goal she wants to focus on.
“As the season is coming to an end, my one greatest accomplishment that I’m focused on would be to get a full ride or scholarship to play basketball in college.”
Congratulations Rian on scoring more than 1,000 career points. Go continue to support her and the varsity girls basketball team as they face their opponents in league.