ADAMS TWP — Lauren Wasylson is a self-proclaimed “gym rat.”

That passion for basketball undoubtedly helped her reach a personal goal.

With 27 points in Tuesday night's 62-53 home victory over Armstrong, Mars' senior guard/forward surpassed 1,000 career points.

Her 22 points in Thursday's win at Franklin Regional give her 1,046 for her career.

“I always wanted to get to 1,000. I thought it would be cool,” said Wasylson, “but I wasn't keeping track until a few games ago. I knew I needed 19 going into our game against Indiana (a 62-48 win Jan. 4) and I scored 16.”

A 3-pointer buried early in the game against Armstrong was Wasylson's final basket in reaching the milestone.

“It means a lot to be up there with all the other players who've done it,” she said. “It's an honor.”

Mars coach Dana Petruska has a unique perspective of Wasylson. During the 2014-15 season, the former was head coach at Deer Lakes, then a section foe of the Planets.

“I coached against her,” said Petruska. “She didn't get a whole lot of playing time that season, but when she was on the floor, with her size and energy, she scared me. She scored between 60 and 70 points that season, so most of her points came beginning with her sophomore season.”

That year yielded 13.4 points per game and 32 treys. Last season, she improved to 16 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest and made 90 percent of her free throws.

Wasylson, who has signed to attend and play basketball at Xavier University, is now leading the 9-3 Planets with an average of 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds.

“I think my shooting and ball-handling have improved the most over the last few years,” she said. “All the credit goes to my coaches. They helped me out a lot.”

Her impressive numbers this season have come despite the fact that Wasylson is not completely healthy. She sustained a left Achilles injury last summer.

“It has gotten better since the start of the season,” she said. “I get it taped up and stretch it out before and after practices and games and that helps. I just take it day to day. Everybody has some kind of adversity and you just have to deal with it.”

Any discomfort she feels has not hampered her play of late. Over the last five games, Wasylson has put up 21.4 points per game.

“The Achilles injury has been nagging, especially with the pace you have to play with, but she's shooting the ball with a lot of confidence right now,” Petruska said. “She has risen to the occasion. It's been nice to see her blossom into the player she is today.”

Wasylson is glad to be on the other side of 1,000 points. After all, she and her teammates have team goals to chase down.

Mars and Hampton are currently tied atop the Section 4-5A standings with perfect 5-0 records. The Planets host the Talbots Monday night. Mars will enter that game riding a 7-game winning streak.

“We are striving to get to the WPIAL championship and to states,” she said. “We definitely think we can get there.”