Four Figure Journeys

Big numbers propel Emma Staudt’s big jump to Division 1 program

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

ROCKFORD — Getting 1,000 points may be like traveling 1,000 miles from home.

They both seem a long way off, but Rockford’s Emma Staudt has the work ethic and sense of adventure to close the distance.

“When I first started playing (varsity) basketball, getting 1,000 points seemed to be so much that I never thought about it,” the senior said. “When I got to my junior year, I saw it was within reach so that became one of my goals.”

Going into Tuesday night’s away game against North Iowa, Staudt needed 25 points to reach the milestone. With about a minute in a half remaining in what would be a 57-39 Warrior victory, Staudt hit 1,000 exactly with her fourth 3-point shot of the game.

“It was a great moment … there were a lot of people who came up there to support me,” Staudt said.

Though they stopped play to present Staudt with the ball she scored her 998th, 999th and 1,000th points with, Staudt would have rathered the feat been accomplished at home.

“That would have been special to do it here,” said Staudt, who doesn’t know — or hasn’t been told — of any home-court ceremony during the Warriors’ next home game Dec. 13 against Central Springs.

“Scoring 1,000 points in high school basketball is not that common,” Rockford head coach Blake Hansen said. “We figured you have to average at least 12.5 points per game for four full years to get there.

“I’m happy that she reached it. It’s always great when one of your kids reaches a milestone.”

Staudt, who is also closing in on 400 career rebounds and 200 career assists, has recently signed on to play Division 1 basketball at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, which incidentally is 1,000 miles away from Rockford. (1,098 miles to be Google Map exact)

While many student-athletes prefer to stay closer to home when continuing their careers, Staudt is excited with the long-distance relocation.

“It should be a new experience … it will open up new horizons for me,” said Staudt, who has made several visits to the Winthrop campus.

Staudt initially caught the attention of Winthrop during an offseason AAU tournament when she was playing with the North Iowa Fire.

“I’ve been with the program since I was in sixth grade,” Staudt said. “It’s run by NIACC head women’s coach (Todd Ciochetto). He has a lot of college basketball connections, so he helped bring us together.”

With the Warriors’ victory over the Bison, they have improved to 4-0 for the season. Winning at Rockford has been the norm during Staudt’s career as the Warriors have won at least 17 games during her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

This season, Staudt and her team are hoping for a little bit more.

“We want to win the conference and make it down to state,” Staudt said.