KARNS CITY — Chase Beighley knows his game.

The 5-foot-10 junior guard knows Karns City basketball history, too — and what his place may eventually be in that regard.

“When I first reached high school, my goal was to eventually score 1,000 points,” Beighley said. “I just wanted to get on the court some as a freshman.

“When Coach (Chris) Bellis told me I was starting my freshman year, I was thrilled. When I saw where my points were at after my sophomore year, my goal changed.

“I want to break Tyler Callihan's record,” he added.

Beighley became the 12th Gremlin boys basketball player to reach 1,000 career points last week, netting 29 in an 80-59 win over Forest. He scored 18 points in the third quarter of that game.

He also strained his achilles in the second quarter that night.

“Chase told me he knew he strained it somewhat, but that it wasn't bothering him,” Bellis said. “He went on to have that big third quarter. I took him out early in the fourth because the score was out of hand.”

Beighley ended that game with 1,003 points — becoming the first Karns City boy ever to reach 1,000 points before his senior season.

He sat out Friday's win over Venango Catholic because of the Achilles strain and Bellis listed him as day to day. The Gremlins hosted West Shamokin Monday night.

Callihan, a 2005 KC graduate, scored a school-record 1,554 points. Doug Rodgers is second all-time at Karns City with 1,445 points. He graduated in 1998.

Jeff Craig and Mark Lankitus, both 1982 grads, scored 1,366 and 1,339 points, respectively. Pat Craig, a 2002 graduate, scored 1,336 to round out the top five.

“I think Chase has a shot at Tyler's record. It will take a big senior year ... similar to what he's doing this year,” Bellis said.

Beighley is averaging 23.6 points and 5.8 assists per game as the Gremlins' point guard. He pays closer attention to all statistics regarding his game.

“After my freshman year, the numbers showed I was scoring 50 percent of the time with my right hand, 30 percent with my left when I go to the basket,” Beighley said. “So I spent that summer working on my left hand.

“Those figures went up to 55 and 50 percent last year. So far this year, I'm at like 70 percent with my left hand, 65 percent with my right.”

Bellis noticed his point guard is driving to the hoop more often,period.

“He's probably scoring eight to 10 points more per game because he's gotten more aggressive that way,” the coach said. “He's doubling his assists per game from last year, too, so he's distributing the ball much better.”

Bellis described Beighley as a “fierce competitor and a motivated kid. He spends all summer in the gym working on his game.

“When Chase wants something, he goes after it,” the coach added.

He also saw the skill-set Beighley possessed before he even got to high school.

“After his eighth-grade season, we added him to our team for summer high school ball and he meshed right in,” Bellis said. “When I saw that, I figured him to be a freshman starter.”

Beighley credits the seniors on the team for aiding in that transition.

“Those guys brougt me along,” he said. “Guys like Jake Friel, Noah Riley, they made me feel comfortable and a part of things. I've never forgetten tuat.

“They're a big part in my development as a player.”

Beighley is hopeful of playing Division II or III college basketball in a couple of years.

After he's sitting atop the Karns City scoring charts.

“I believe I can get there,” he said. “With (fellow junior) Nathan Waltman commanding so much attention in the post, it makes things easier for me outside.

“My teammates are a big part of anything I've done or will do.”