Lynn English senior Diondra Woumn is pictured with her coaches and teammates moments after scoring the 1,000th point of her high school basketball career in a victory over Billerica in the State Tournament Saturday night at the Paul Cavanagh Fieldhouse.
Could anyone have written a better home court Paul Cavanagh Fieldhouse final chapter to the career of Lynn English senior Diondra Woumn?
Score the 1,000th point of your career. Lead your team to its 23rd consecutive win and a state tournament victory over a Merrimack Valley Conference nemesis, in this case, Billerica.
Have you entire family on hand for the accomplishment, including your brother, Ryan, who is also a member of the English 1,000-point club.
The most spectacular moment may have come on Woumn’s incredible hop step and drive to the hoop, which the referee called for a travel, perhaps not having seen such a dynamic move this season. Head coach Fred Hogan has seen all before from Woumn, a four-year starter whose overall progression from her quiet freshman to confident senior leader has been tremendous.
Woumn needed 14 points to reach 1,000 for her career. The 5-9 senior who is headed to Franklin Pierce netted 17, including the milestone-making free throw with 2:58 left in the game.
The game was stopped and Hogan, his assistant coaches, and players rushed to congratulate Woumn and present her with flowers and balloons. After the game there were more photos to be taken with parents David and Vanessa, family members, and friends.
Fred Hogan and assistant coach Rachael Bradley praised Woumn for not only being a superb player but being a terrific role model for the younger players in the program.
“It’s definitely a magical night,” said Hogan. “Today we had a little [pre-game] speech and Diondra asked if she could say something to the team. She said, ‘I know tonight is supposed to be a 1,000-point night, but let’s get the win first.’ She’s on a tear right now. She’s been carrying us for the last four or five games. She’s a special kid and it’s been a great pleasure to coach her.”
Bradley, who played college basketball at Endicott and is a school nurse at Classical, has known Woumn since her childhood.
“Seeing her develop into the young woman that she is – it’s exciting, it’s nice to see. To see her on and off the court – last year we went on a field trip with the special needs students and Diondra was one of the mentors. When you see a kid outside of a basketball uniform working with those young kids, it’s amazing to see.”
David Woumn spoke to reporters on behalf of the family. Ryan Woumn sat at courtside while Darius Woumn is studying at George Mason University.
“It’s a big accomplishment for my daughter, Diondra,” said Mr. Woumn, a Lynn Police officer. “I’m very proud that she reached the milestone of 1,000 points. I couldn’t be prouder as a dad. She did it within the flow of the game and I congratulate the Lady Bulldogs.”
Diondra Woumn said her focus was on beating a very good Billerica team and continuing English’s magical, undefeated season.
“I was extremely nervous going into this game not mostly about my 1,000 points, but because Billerica is an excellent team,” said Woumn. “It’s really cool to score 1,000 points like my brother because now we’re the first siblings to be on the wall for 1,000 point scorers.”
Diondra Woumn felt the milestone was within striking distance at the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign.
“They told me I could do it. Throughout the season I struggled a little so I questioned it a little bit. But I’m a scorer. That’s what I do. I wanted to get it because I wanted to make my parents proud, especially my brothers Ryan and Darius.”
Diondra Woumn joins teammate Catherine Stinson, Jenicia Duggins, Jeanette Anderson, and Deidre Jackson in the Lynn English 1,000-point girls basketball club.
“Catherine was one of the first people who individually hugged me and that was just a great feeling,” said Woumn.