A Shot, a banner, a legacy: Bains joins El Capitan’s 1,000-point club.
The banner and signs were ready. All that was needed was El Capitan High senior Avnoor Bains to make one shot. The Gauchos star grabbed a rebound, dribbled outside and drained a jumper late in the first quarter against Atwater on Tuesday night to become just the second girls player in program history to score 1,000 career points at El Capitan High School.
Gauchos coach Adam Her called a timeout and Bains’ teammates rushed to celebrate the milestone. Bains posed with a 1,000-point banner with her teammates, hugged her father and then it was game back on as the Gauchos went on to defeat the Falcons 56-42 in a battle between two teams tied atop the Central California Conference standings.
“I think it was pretty easy to refocus after because I knew that was something quick and then I had to get my head back in the game because we still had three more quarters to play through,” Bains said.
After the game Bains was able to celebrate with the many family and friends who came to see her special moment. “I’m glad I was able to hit that milestone with the people who have been supporting me through day one here,” Bains said.
Bains has been a key component for the Gauchos the past four years. She joins teammate Mady Dietz, who hit the milestone earlier this year, as the only two members of the 1,000-point club for the Gauchos. Bains and Dietz have been the foundation for a program that is trying to win a second consecutive CCC championship.
“Special, special moment, she’s a great player,” said Gauchos first-year coach Adam Her. “She brings so much heart to this team and I know she’s worked so hard. For her to get it on a night like tonight, I know it means a lot to her and a lot to us as a Gauchos family.”
It’s a milestone that doesn’t come easy. You don’t score that many points without putting in the work behind the scenes. “It means a lot because I’ve put in countless hours inside and outside of practice time in the gym,” Bains said. “So to hit it on a game like this means a lot.”
Bains says she has cherished her time playing in the Gauchos program. She enjoys the time she gets to spend with her teammates and coaches. “It’s taught me a lot, not only on the court but off the court too,” she said. “It’s made me a better person, a better leader. I love playing with this team and this coaching staff, they’ve supported me through my journey here at El Cap.”
Bains said the milestone was made even more special in that it came during such an important game against Atwater, a team that they shared the CCC championship with last year and that went on to win the section championship. “I think it makes it even better because this is the team that won everything last year so to not only win but hit a huge milestone tonight means everything,” she said.
What did the moment when she surpassed the 1,000-point mark feel like? Well, Bains will never forget it. “It was huge,” Bains said. “Words can’t even describe how I felt.”
Shawn Jansen is the MUHSD Program Manager Digital Media. He can be reached at Sjansen@muhsd.org.