UPDATED: McClain’s Paisley Pryor earns 1,000th point; Lady Tigers defeat Jackson

Thursday evening, Jan. 22, 2026, saw McClain junior Paisley Pryor become the seventh girls basketball player in McClain High School history to score 1,000 points in a career. 

Pryor needed 21 points to reach the mark going into the Lady Tigers’ game at Jackson High School on Thursday, and she finished the game with 22 points, gaining the 1,000th career point with 4:26 left in the fourth quarter on a basket in the paint with the assist from Leah Henson. 

That basket eventually led to the Lady Tigers gaining a 43-37 Frontier Athletic Conference victory over the host Ironladies, in McClain’s 15th consecutive win of the season, moving them to 15-1 overall and 8-0 in the conference standings. 

McClain’s Pryor in her 22-point effort against Jackson scored seven points in the first half with a 3-pointer and two two-point baskets. After halftime, Pryor broke away in the third quarter with 11 points, making three two-point baskets and five free throws. In the fourth, the junior scored four points, including the layup that led to her 1,000th career point, and she also made two free throws. 

This season, Pryor is averaging 18.5 points per game. 

Pryor joins Audra Cook (1996), Sarah Hull (2002), Liz Cockerill (2002), Kate Hammond (2010), Shania Massie (2014) and Taylor Polley (2017) in the McClain girls basketball 1,000-point club. 

“I’m glad I got it off my shoulders,” Pryor told The Highland County Press. “I wasn't really prepared for it, but I knew it was just going to come when it came. So I tried not to pressure it, but my teammates, they were almost unselfish, too unselfish, about getting me the 1,000 points. They definitely were pushing for it.”

Along with her teammates, Pryor thanked her family, friends, coaches and athletic trainers for their support along the way.

“Definitely my teammates, and Shania has been my coach since I was in eighth grade, so she definitely started that with me,” Pryor said. “My mom, she's made a lot of sacrifices for me to play as much basketball as I do, and my family, they're always there. They never miss a game. 

“All the people, like the trainers, the AAU coaches that have all just helped me out and put in extra time when I needed to get better — a lot of people have helped me in the offseason. I’m just really grateful to get this goal, and I’m looking forward to getting another one.”

Pryor explained that reaching the milestone was one of her goals for her high school career, but after achieving the 1,000-point mark 16 games into her junior year, she is still looking to add a few more achievements.

“Going into high school, I had three goals: start varsity as a freshman, get 1,000 points and be on the wall, so I’ve got two of them done,” Pryor said. “[Scoring my 1,000th point] just means a lot, because not many people have done it, and that was my big goal. I always knew I wanted to do that. Ever since I was a little girl, that's what I wanted to do, so I think it just shows how much everyone has helped me, and the journey I've been on.

“I’m looking forward to maybe scoring way more points. I want to get on the wall. I want to break the all-time leading score record, and Shania has the record for most points in a game, which is 40. I've always wanted to do that, too. I still have a lot to work for.”

Massie also spoke about seeing Pryor reach her goal on the road Wednesday night.

“Watching Paisley score her 1,000th career point is one of the most meaningful moments of my coaching career,” McClain head coach Shania Massie told The Highland County Press. “I’ve had the privilege of being her coach since the eighth grade, and seeing how much she has grown, not just as a basketball player, but as a person, has been incredibly special. This milestone is the result of years of hard work, early mornings, late nights and a commitment to constantly getting better.

“Paisley has always been coachable, driven and willing to put in the extra work when no one is watching. Our relationship goes beyond the court, and I’m grateful to have been part of her journey and development over the years. She leads by example, supports her teammates and represents our program with class and integrity. 

“This accomplishment is well deserved, but what makes me most proud is the character she shows every day,” Massie continued. “I couldn’t be happier for her, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Jackson led 13-11 after the first quarter, and MHS responded with a 7-1 second frame for an 18-14 lead. Along with Pryor’s seven points in the first half, Allie Burgess scored two points, Henson made three free throws, Leah Lovett made three free throws and Brie Cummins sank a 3-pointer. 

In the first half, starting late in the first frame and into the second quarter, McClain had a 9-0 run. 

The Lady Tigers’ third frame saw them outscore the Ironladies 13-11 with the aforementioned 11 points by Pryor and two points scored by Henson. 

The fourth frame was a tough battle for McClain as they tied with Jackson in scoring, as each team scored 12 points. JHS took the lead over McClain at 35-34 with 3:26 on the clock, but 11 seconds later it was Cummins with a layup for a 36-35 Lady Tiger lead. 

Eventually the score was tied at 36 with 2:07 following a basket by Jackson, but at the 1:31 mark it was Henson scoring two points in the paint, followed by two made free throws by Lovett with .57 on the clock. Late in the game, Henson scored two more points off free throws, and Pryor made one final free throw for the 43-37 score. 

Other final scoring totals for McClain were Henson (9), Lovett (5), Cummins (5) and Burgess (2). 

With the loss, Jackson is now 4-13 overall and 2-6 in the FAC. 

Next for McClain is a game at Eastern Brown High School in their Winter Basketball Classic against North Adams at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. 

BOX SCORE
MHS    11 07 13 12 — 43
JHS    13 01 11 12 — 37

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