By Jeff Odom
Wesley Chapel boys basketball player Erik Thomas picked up his 2,000th career point in his final regular season high school game Feb. 1.
With 3:39 left in the second quarter at cross-town rival Wiregrass Ranch Feb. 1, Thomas made an easy layup to surpass the milestone. After the game, a stream of fans stormed the court and jumped all over the smiling 6-foot-4 senior forward to congratulate him on passing the mark.
“It feels great man; it’s a great, huge accomplishment,” Erik said. “I’m extremely happy. I’ve worked hard for it, and this means everything.”
Thomas, who is leading Pasco County with 33.5 points and 16.8 rebounds per game this season, has familiar company atop in the school record books — his older sister.
Sthefany Thomas, who played at Clemson University and now professionally for Gimele in Norway, compiled 2,563 points from 2003 to 2007 while playing for the Wildcats, and ended her high school career as Pasco’s all-time leading scorer. Gulf’s Nicole Adams took the top spot last season.
Wildcats coach Doug Greseth said it’s amazing to see how far Erik has come in four years.
“He’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Greseth said. “He seems to find a way to get the job done, and I think he had a lot of energy (against Wiregrass), and I think he did a good job.”
Erik is the program’s all-time leader in points (2,025) and rebounds (1,148). He is adding 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals this year to go along with his scoring and work on the boards.
Erik said he knew coming into the game that he was going to reach the milestone, but he didn’t let it take over his head.
“It’s just such an extreme accomplishment for me and my sister to beat it and just be a part of history and the records, and I just feel like it’s a really big accomplishment for us,” Erik said.
Even after achieving history, only one thing was on Erik’s mind after the game.
“It’s another win in our book,” Erik said of beating the Bulls 65-62. “Now we have districts coming up, and that’s what we’re concentrated on. Just going to the final four.”
He did say he would allow himself to enjoy the achievement — for one night: “I’m just going to savor this, have a good time and just enjoy it.”
—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker
