(New Buffalo, MI) - A New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball player has become only the fifth Bison in history to score 1,000 points during his varsity career.

 

Senior Lucas Forker reached the milestone at home on February 11 against Buchanan.  Forker was at the free throw line with two shots coming and just seconds left in the game.  He hit the 1,000 point mark by making his first free throw attempt then sank his second free throw shot to force overtime.

 

Buchanan went on to win 57-55.

 

Forker said he was a little scared especially from having a chance to send the game into overtime but took a deep breath to try and relax before each free throw attempt.

 

He was still relishing the moment a few days later. 

 

“It feels good.  I worked pretty hard for this,” he said.

 

Forker, a 6’4” center, received limited playing time when called up to the varsity as a freshman but he’s been a starter and a force on the team from both sides of the court ever since.

 

Head Coach Nate Tripp said one major improvement for Forker is continuing to play after a bad call instead of pausing for a moment to complain or express disbelief.

 

“He’s a lot more poised, a lot more under control and a lot more just willing to move on to the next play right away,” he said.

 

Tripp said Forker also developed the ability to move with the ball to his left and right not just in the same direction to try and get into a better position to score or make a pass.

 

“That’s a big improvement in his game.  A very big improvement,” he said.

 

Forker, who’s averaging about 17 points a game this season, said he made reaching the milestone a goal after realizing he had to chance to do it after the end of last season.  He’s been working hard to improve his game since making the varsity but dedicated even more time toward further developing his skills over the past year.

 

He increased his visits to the gym and was helped along the way by his father, Adam, and older brother, Zack, who are both former Bison basketball players.  They worked with him on things like foot work close to the rim to create a good shot when closely guarded.

 

“We were like on him every single day,” said Zack.

 

They also had him attempt 200 to 300 shots per day during the summer and adjusted his shooting touch thrown off a bit from a shoulder injury he suffered in the eighth grade and reinjured the following year.

 

“It’s really cool for Lucas.  I’m happy for him,” Zack said.

 

Lucas said he’s hoping to continue playing basketball in college but hasn’t chosen a school yet.