Stanfield scores 1,000th point
BOYS' BASKETBALL
He never dreamt about the accomplishment as a young boy growing up in Brainerd.
No one talked about scoring 1,000 career points even when he was close to the number. There were no signs in the gym.
But on Tuesday the Brainerd Warriors Landon Stanfield needed 25 points to reach the scoring milestone. and he scored 25.
As unassuming and humble as Stanfield has played his entire career, that's how he reacted to becoming the seventh Warrior boys' basketball player to reach 1,000 in Brainerd's 67-46 Central Lakes Conference victory over the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm at Brainerd High School.
Brainerd's Landon Stanfield put up a long three-point shot in the second half Tuesday. Stanfield made the basket to hit 1,000 career points. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist » Purchase reprints of this photo.
Stanfield hit the mark on a 3-pointer with 4:22 remaining in the second half.
The game was stopped. Stanfield was presented a plaque, which he ran to his mother. He hugged her and his grandparents and many other family members.
"It's nice to be there and now we can move on," said Stanfield. "I was talking to some people before the game and said if it happens that's great, but I'm not going to force it. At the end the coaches were kind of calling some plays for me. I guess they wanted me to get it and it is nice to get it over with."
The senior point guard scored the team's first six points helping Brainerd to a 13-1 lead. The Warriors' 12 first-half turnovers helped the Storm climb back, but at 4:49 of the first Brainerd regained the lead and never trailed again. Stanfield scored 16 first-half points.
"I was glad he got it at home," said Warrior coach Matt Urbanek about Stanfield's big night. "He was able to get it in front of his family and friends and it was really fun for our whole team. Landon deserves a lot of credit for it because he's worked so hard for it and spent a lot of time in the gym and he loves the game so much, but it's also a credit to the team. A lot of guys passed him the ball, set screens for him and gave him chances to score. It's really fun for everybody."
In the second half Brainerd's defense held Sauk Rapids to 7-of-19 shooting and just 19 points. Brainerd scored 34 as Jed Magstadt scored seven of his nine points in the second half.
Brett Cloutier and Mitch Means also scored nine points each as Brainerd snapped a two-game losing streak, which saw Brainerd drop four of its last five games. Those four losses came against teams that are or were ranked with a combined 38-9 record.
Warriors 67, Sauk Rapids-Rice 46
Key: Landon Stanfield scored 25 points to reach 1,000 for his career and led the Warriors to a victory
Conference: Brd 7-2,
SR 1-7
Overall: Brd 8-4, SR 1-12
Next game: Brainerd hosts Alexandria
7:30 p.m. Friday
"It's not easy to go on that stretch," said Stanfield. "We were hoping to get a couple wins out of it, but we took what we got and came back today and fought and got a nice win."
Stanfield scored 318 points his sophomore season, 428 points last season and has 254 so far this season. He was quick to credit his teammates for their part in the achievement.
"We didn't talk about this very much," Urbanek said. "In fact we didn't even mention it before he got 1,000, but I think everybody knew. He's been such an instrumental part of our team and such a leader that I think everybody wanted to be a part of it."
Stanfield joins Chris Bjorklund (1,718), Jim Smith (1,376), Randy Fabel (1,337), John Emerson (1,318), Jon Anderson (1,068) and Todd Vanek (1,044).
"Progressively as I got closer and closer it started to be a goal of mine," said Stanfield. "But as you can see in the gym it's not too publicized. I am happy it happened obviously, but I wouldn't say it's something I've strived for since I was little.
"It's kind of scary to look at because I realize my senior year is winding down pretty quick."
Sauk Rapids 27 19 - 46
Brainerd 33 34 - 67
SAUK RAPIDS
Jesse Janson 6, Jordan Christianson 6, Aaron Haakonson 12, Eric Carstensen 3, Nate Frieler 2, Chris Wichterman 12, J.R. Barthel 2, Cody Meyer 3. Team totals: FG 18-49 (37 percent), FT 7-13 (54 percent), 3-point baskets: 3-10 (Wichterman 2, Carstensen 1).
BRAINERD
Kyle Crocker 2, Brett Cloutier 9, Jed Magstadt 9, Mitch Means 9, Mike Valesano 4, Corey Hermanson 2, Aric Hurd 3, Landon Stanfield 25, Brett Kramer 4. Team totals: FG 24-53 (45 percent), FT 18-24 (75 percent), 3-point baskets: 5-19 (Stanfield 2, Magstadt 1, Means 1, Hurd 1).
JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.