Marcus Middleton Joins Stoughton High's 1,000-Point Club

Take a look at a video of Middleton scoring his 1000th career point in the media gallery of this article. 

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Needing four points to become the 14th player in school history - boy or girl - to score 1,000 career points, Stoughton High boys' basketball senior captain Marcus Middleton stole the ball twice in the first quarter Sunday night against Boston Latin and both times headed to the hoop for an uncontested layup. 

The first steal came about a minute and a half into the game, which led to an easy layup, giving Middleton 998 career points.

The second steal came with 1:57 left in the first quarter. The senior captain, known for his tenacious defense, jarred the ball loose around mid court and headed to the basket. As Boston Latin's Adam Mikula closed in, Middleton spun to the left of the basket and laid the ball in with his right hand, scoring his 1,000th career point.

The game paused as Middleton walked towards the Stoughton bench where he was greeted by his teammates, coaching staff and family. 

Middleton finished Sunday's game against Boston Latin, the opening game of the Walpole Hoop Classic at Walpole High, with a team-high 12 points, and now has 1,008 for his career. . 

His name will be put on the 1,000-point banner which hangs in the Stoughton High gym, joining former teammates Aaron Calixte (who joined the club in 2012), Kris Joyce (2011) and assistant coach Evan Taylor (2009).

"Words can't describe it," Middleton said of reaching the 1,000-point plateau. "There's so many great athletes and basketball players there [on the 1,000-point banner]. Three of my good friends, people I've played with, people I've grown up watching play - Evan, Kris, Aaron - just all phenomenal basketball players. Just to be up there with them is remarkable. I can't even explain it. 

Stoughton coach John Gallivan said it was fitting Middleton's 1,000th point came off a steal. 

"It's kind of been his bread and butter for what seems like years - because it has been," Gallivan said. "He's done so many different things you just didn't know how it was going to happen whether it be long-range threes or him getting tough steals and easy baskets off the steals."

After Joyce graduated in 2011 and Calixte transferred to Lee Academy, a prep school in Maine before the start of this school year, Middleton became Stoughton's top scorer. He leads the team this season with 16.8 points per game. 

As an eighth grader Middleton served as team-manager, and as a high schooler, he has been a four-year varsity player, three-year starter and three-year captain for the Black Knights. He is a two-time Hockomock League All-Star, having made the All-Star squad his junior and senior years. 

Stoughton High School's 1,000 Point Scorers