By Michael Lindsay
The Cookeville High School basketball program has a new name atop the all-time leading scorer list as senior Josh Heard moved into first place during his team’s Region 4-4A championship game victory over LaVergne on Thursday.
Heard passes Mitchell Hill, who scored 1,649 career points for the Cavaliers from 2006 to 2010, atop the list.
“It’s great for him,” said Cookeville head coach and Josh’s father Joshua Heard. “The work he’s put in not just in high school, but throughout middle school and elementary school. He knows this is a great accomplishment, but it’s not over with. I’m happy for him to have his name in the history books.”
“It meant a lot to me,” added coach Heard. “I can be coach and dad at the same time.”
Heard scored 8 points in Thursday’s win including a three-pointer in the first quarter along with an and-one and two additional free throws in the fourth.
“I was preparing for it, but I already told my teammates I’m not going to jack shots and go for it,” said Heard. “It hasn’t hit me yet. I was definitely more worried about the team aspect tonight. It was nice that we got the W and I got something to put under my own belt.”
Heard’s career milestone comes alongside seniors Colin Ayers, Jack Oakley and Bennett Reeves.
“I was working with my teammates before we even got to high school,” said Heard. “Our starting 5 played AAU together, so it was fun knowing I got this with my teammates. It’s not just about me. Without them, I’m not getting these shots.”
Heard will have one final home game in a Cavalier uniform Monday evening as Cookeville hosts Bradley Central in the Class 4A sectional round at 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the TSSAA Class 4A state tournament.
“It’s honestly like another senior night,” said Heard. “I knew we’d have another one. Hopefully we can go back home and win another one and get to the Glass House for the first time in school history.”
