NORTH KINGSTOWN — With a bucket late in the first half against North Kingstown last week, Dion Hazard became the latest East Providence High School boys’ basketball player to reach the 1,000 career point milestone.
Hazard, a senior guard, accomplished the feat with just over two minutes remaining in the Townies’ game Friday night, Jan. 25, at North Kingstown. He scored points 1,000 and 1,001 after converting a backdoor layup off a feed from Julian Andrade in what eventually turned out to be a 74-60 victory for the host Skippers.
Hazard entered the game needing just three points to reach the noteworthy mark. A three-year starter, he came into the season needing just over 200 points to get the 1,000 figure. Friday was game 15 overall for the Townies. He leads the team in scoring to date, averaging some 18 points per contest.
“I think he was pressing so it took a while to get it,” EPHS head coach Joe Andrade said of Hazard’s milestone hoop. He finished the game with 17 points. R.J. Pina led the locals with 21. The Townies fell to 5-6 in Division I with the loss.
Hazard became the first EPHS male to reach the 1,000 career plateau since Bobby Perry, who graduated in 2007. Before that, Derek LaCroix, in 2002, and Kevin Bliss, Class of 1992, attained the mark as well.
Hazard’s feat will be formally recognized prior to the start of the Townies’ next home game Thursday night, Jan. 31, against Coventry. The ceremony will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. with tip off set for 7.