Butler's Amy Achesinski takes aim at the free throw that would become her 1,000th career point in Thursday's game at Seneca Valley. The junior scored 24 points to help the Golden Tornado take a crucial 50-46 section victory.

JACKSON TWP — The first three points got Amy Achesinski to 1,000 for her career.

But the following 21 points are the ones she will remember the most.

Butler's junior center-forward entered Thursday's game at Seneca Valley with 997 points.

Achesinski reached the milestone with a conventional three-point play in the first quarter, but she was called upon time and time again as the Golden Tornado fought to keep their postseason hopes alive.

And she didn't disappoint, ending the night with 24 points in a 50-46 win.

"The team couldn't have asked for a better game tonight," Achesinski said. "We played with all we had.

"I'm glad I got (the 1,000-point mark) out of the way, and this is the kind of game that you want to get it in," she added. "We needed this one and we won."

Achesinski becomes only the 12th player in Butler basketball history, boy or girl, to get to 1,000 points.

It all started with her cracking the starting lineup as a freshman when the 2003-04 season began.

There were big shoes to fill, as center Kim Nowakowski had graduated the previous June, taking her 16.5 points per game to Bowling Green State University.

"I felt a bit of pressure coming in that year," Achesinski said. "Being a freshman, I just wanted to prove myself and keep going from there."

Dorothea Epps, who was in her first year as head coach of the varsity team that season, learned early on that Achesinski could be trusted despite her youth.

"I knew she was talented," Epps said. "But I was surprised at first by her poise on the court for a youngster. It was like having an upperclassman out there."

Many young players, especially those in the frontcourt, are a bit tentative until they get a season's worth of experience under their belts.

"Amy was never tentative," said Epps. "There were some bumps that she had to go through, but she has never shied away from having the ball in her hands, even as a freshman."

Achesinski put up 13.4 points per game as a freshman, followed by 14.8 last season.

Over her first two seasons, she scored in double figures in 40 of 48 games.

"Amy came into our program with confidence and she understood the game," said Epps. "That made my job a whole lot easier."

Entering this year, Achesinski was going to be without backcourt star Kelly Miller, who averaged nearly 14 points per game as a senior last season.

"Amy has seen a lot of double teams this season, but I think she has handled it well," said Epps. "She sees the court well and makes good passes."

Achesinski currently is averaging 16.6 points per game. She could conclude her junior campaign as the fifth all-time scorer in Butler girls history.

"I do feel like I've accomplished something," she said. "I now know that I will leave Butler having left my mark."