EFFINGHAM — Seeing the basketball swish through the net will certainly bring a smile to any player’s face.
For St. Anthony senior guard Nancy Ruholl, it’s something she’s accustomed to witnessing.
Time and time again.
Ruholl eclipsed 2,000 points for her career on Dec. 15 with 7:23 left in the second quarter during a game against Teutopolis at J.H. Griffin Gym. She is just the second player in area history to reach the impressive milestone, joining former Altamont Lady Indian Grace Nelson, who is currently playing at Illinois State University.
Reaching 2,000 points is something Ruholl had been eyeing for quite some time.
“I’ve wanted to hit this goal since freshman year,” she said. “It’s an honor to do it with this team of girls, and coaches, by my side.”
Earlier this season, Ruholl made more history by becoming the all-time leading scorer, boy or girl, in school history.
“Nancy has carved her name boldly into the history of Bulldogs basketball,” former head coach Aaron Rios said. “She didn’t just break the school record — she shattered it. Nancy is setting a new bar for excellence that will stand for years to come. She is one of the winningest players in school history and has been a true ambassador of the ‘Sisterhood’ culture that defines St. A girls basketball.”
Ruholl scored 29 points against the Lady Shoes on Dec. 15.
Just like when she reached 1,000 points two years ago against Newton, Ruholl’s 2,000th point came on a free throw.
“I was just thinking it was another free throw,” Ruholl said.
The road to this milestone began when Ruholl first played organized basketball in kindergarten. Her mother, Sarah, noted that Nancy has always been able to score.
Jayme Petty, Nancy’s coach at Sigel St. Michael’s, found that out when she suited up for her Sharpshooters in the sixth and eighth grade — Petty took a one-year absence when Nancy was a seventh-grader. Nancy helped Sigel win a state championship as an eighth grader.
“You never had to convince her to do anything,” Petty said.
Nancy has achieved everything while sporting an unmatched attitude and approach to the game. She plays every possession to the best of her ability and never takes shortcuts.
“As impressive as her accomplishments are on the court, Nancy is an even better young woman off of it. Her attitude, leadership and love for the game have left a lasting impact on her coaches, teammates and the entire program,” Rios said. “Stacey [Rios] and I both feel incredibly blessed and lucky to have coached a player like Nancy — someone whose work ethic elevates everyone around her.”
Bulldogs head coach Bart Wiedman has been around the Spring Arbor commit for just over two months.
And although he’s seen a ton of scoring, what has been most impressive to him is Nancy’s all-around game.
“I know everyone sees the offense and the numbers she puts up, but I don’t even know how many assists she has,” Wiedman said. “She still averages five to six rebounds a game, four to five steals and guards one of the other team’s best players. But it’s not only that.
“She’s also a role model for young girls to watch play.”