Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Stacey MacArthur

Each week, Marple Newtown Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. This week we highlight Stacey MacArthur, a junior at Delaware County Christian School, for achieving her 1,000th point with the Knights.

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Stacey MacArthur

Whiz Kid's Age: 17

Whiz Kid's School: Delaware County Christian School

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Stacey scored her 1,000th point at a recent game against Christopher Dock Mennonite High School on Feb. 9. The Delaware County Times reported, "MacArthur scored 12 of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter to reach the 1,000-point mark and led the Knights to a 33-30 come-from-behind victory over the Pioneers in Bicentennial League girls basketball action."

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: When the junior guard first heard that she was in the running to mark her 1,000th point milestone, Stacey said she was "kind of surprised at first" but shared that it was simply just another goal for her.

"My coaches told me about it a week before and he told me I was 35 points away to reaching 1,000. And they told me not to really think about it and to just keep playing, so it didn't really affect me," shared Stacy. "I knew it was in the back of my head at times and I knew I was getting close. I really kind of just stopped thinking about it because I kept focusing on the games ahead instead."

Stacey is the fifth Delco Christian basketball player in the Lady Knights' history to achieve the big milestone. It also marked her as the only second junior to score her 1,000th point.

And when she did score her 1,000th point in last week's game against Christopher Dock?

"It was awesome," said Stacey. "My whole family (I have three sisters and a brother) all ran onto the court–they were so proud of me. They were so happy to see my hard work pay off."

Stacey, who started playing basketball around the age of 11 in fifth grade, has worked hard over the years to put a name for herself on the court. What once started off as a fun pastime soon became a passion.

A parent at her church, Goshen Baptist in West Chester, had decided to create a youth Malvern basketball team combining 15 girls from her fifth-grade class and the grade above her.

"Four of us have been together [playing basketball] for about six or seven years now," shared Stacey.

Though neither of her parents played basketball, Stacey said she would shoot around with her dad and her siblings in their driveway.

"I knew I liked playing but I got serious about it when I was in seventh grade. I think that's when I started really liking it," said Stacey.

Pretty soon Stacey started to realize her basketball skills were developing and progressing against teammates and opposing players. "I realized I just loved playing it and I thought that was my fun."

She still "shoots around" with her family, particularly with her younger sister who is currently an eighth-grader.

"I shoot around with my little sister at our gym and I do drills with her," said Stacey. "She's in eighth grade now so next year she'll be on the same team with me. It should be interesting–I've never played on a team with her."

Though she also plays field hockey and softball, in addition to basketball, basketball was the one sport that she believes is her passion (she plays in the AAU league during the spring). "I just love playing and competing."

Some of her favorite memories with the Lady Knights have been playing in their district championships last year at Villanova University. "That was really cool–it was an awesome experience."

The junior isn't sure where she'll be in a couple of years for college but she does know that she'd like to play for a D-1 school or "to make an impact on a team and to just have fun there on a more intense level."

Though she loves competing and the intensity the sport brings, Stacey shared what helps her keep her cool and collected during high-scoring games: "I guess it would just be my determination and mindset. I'm a really intense competitor. I just really want to win but I do my best effort and always try to help my team out. I just go out there and I know that when my coaches and team believe in me, it helps me get through games."

Editor's note: Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honoree. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Send nominations to jennifer.kim@patch.com.