Gina Ricci, a standout softball player when she was at Garnet Valley, was a surprise guest for Coley, who also had her parents, aunts, uncles, and many friends in the stands for the Jaguars' senior night.
When Coley saw Gina before the game, they both started crying. When Coley hit the basket that gave her the milestone, Gina Ricci ran onto the court and gave her sister a hug that lifted her younger sister well off the floor.
Coley Ricci wasted no time in moving toward the 1,000 mark, scoring the first seven Jaguars points. She scored her 14th point of the game in the second quarter on a jumper from the left side that rolled around the rim before dropping through the net.
"I didn't even know that was the one when I shot," Ricci said, adding that she realized it when a teammate handed her the ball, telling her to "keep it."
"It was, literally, too perfect," added Ricci, who is averaging almost 16 points. "It was senior night - everyone was coming anyway. What do you know - a thousand points on the same night, that's awesome."
Ricci finished the game with 17, her 10th double-digit scoring performance of the season.
Also in the stands rooting on Ricci and the Jaguars was Cecily Scavicchio, the last Garnet Valley player to hit 1,000 (2008).
"I idolized Cecily when I was in middle school," Ricci said. "I remember when she scored it, I was in the parking lot with my dad and I said, 'Dad, I want to be next.' "
Haverford 6 4 14 6 – 30
Garnet Valley 13 18 13 11 – 55
H: Devon Geary 8, Jess Lyons 4, Kyndall Hawkins 4, Samantha Estes 4, Meghan Farrell 2, Brittany Fowler 2, Lexi Bosak 2, Megan Fowler 2, Erin Burke 2.
GV: Jordan Ireland 20, Coley Ricci 17, Kayla McAteer 4, Madison Ireland 4, Haley Warden 3, Emily Mallon 2, Megan Blair 2, Macy Goldbach 2, Abby Lachman 1.
Contact Kate Harman at rallysports@phillynews.com.
