BUTLER TWP — Julia Baxter has gone where no women's basketball player has gone before her.

The Butler graduate and Butler County Community College sophomore forward became the first BC3 female to eclipse 1,000 points during Wednesday night's win over CCAC.

The college has had women's basketball since 2002.

“I came close in high school, but didn't get there,” Baxter said. “I never dreamed I'd reach 1,000 points here.”

Only three men — Bryant Lewandowski, Matt Lobaugh and Austin Miller — have ever scored 1,000 for the Pioneers. Hal Koenemund scored 928 points in one season at BC3 before moving on to Robert Morris University.

Lewandowski owns the BC3 career scoring record at 1,311 points. Baxter is 300 behind that mark and will likely fall short of that total. She has four regular season games and the postseason remaining.

“This team has a chance to have a deep postseason run, maybe get to nationals,” BC3 coach Dick Hartung said. “We're 11-8, but we should be something like 15-3.

“We were hit with some illness and injuries for a spell there and lost a few games.”

Hartung recalled Baxter and a few other current BC3 players coming through the Butler Cubs youth program a number of years ago. Baxter attended Hartung's basketball camp as a fourth-grader.

“She approached me about wanting to come play here (at BC3) her senior year,” Hartung said. “I told here we'd love to have her.

“She came in with a bunch of perimeter players. Those girls opened things up inside for Julia. Defenses had to come out and guard them. They definitely made life easier for her.”

Baxter has 639 rebounds to go with her 1,011 points. She is sixth in all of NJCAA Division III with 23.8 points per game this season. Her 16.6 rebounds per contest rank second among all players in that division.

Baxter is headed to Slippery Rock University next season.

“I know the competition is going to be stiffer,” she said. “I just have to keep developing as a player. Coming here, I've had more freedom to shoot from outside and I've gotten to dribble the ball a lot more.

“It's definitely helped me.”

Baxter scored 28 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Wednesday. On a few occasions, she grabbed the ball off the defensive glass and dribbled all the way down the floor to convert a lay-up on the other end.

Five of Baxter's Pioneer teammates — Kalynn and Kelsee Callihan, Melea Barlow, Shelby Campbell and Tina Schaffner — were high school teammates of hers at Butler.

“She's just a great player,” Barlow said. “Julia has become more explosive here. She's come out of her shell in a way.

“She's always been a strong player inside. She's become a more complete player.”

Kalynn Callihan said she's relished being part of Baxter's career at BC3.

“Just her work ethic ... Julia goes 110 percent all of the time,” Callihan said. “She is always looking to better herself.

“I'm excited for her. I'm proud of her. This (1,000 points) is a special time for her.”

Barlow agreed.

“Getting 1,000 points in two years is a big deal,” she said.

Baxter sank her 1,000th point from the free throw line with 7:10 left in the first half Wednesday. She only played roughly half the game in a runaway 81-40 triumph.

Play was stopped and Baxter was presented the game ball. The team enjoyed a commemorative cake with her after the game.

“I didn't know they were doing any of this,” Baxter said. “It was all a surprise. I feel blessed to be able to do this with my teammates. I certainly couldn't have done it without them.”

Hartung said he had three goals coming into Wednesday's game.

“Win the game, get nobody hurt, get Baxter her 1,000 and go home,” he said. “It all fit — just like it has since she's been here.”