Richmond senior scores 1000th point during Mt. Abram game

By Christine Brackley

SALEM — Just into the fourth quarter of play during the Jan. 3 girls’ varsity basketball game at Mt. Abram Regional High School, Richmond’s Sydney Underhill-Tilton hit a foul shot to score the 1,000th point of her high school career.
Mt. Abram athletic director and timekeeper Tina Brackley stopped the clock and sounded the buzzer to stop play.

“Please join me in congratulating Sydney Underhill-Tilton,” Brackley announced, as the fans of both teams stood to applaud the senior’s accomplishment. The game resumed and Richmond beat the Mt. Abram Roadrunners 47-40. Underhill-Tilton led her team with 25 points.
Following the game, Richmond head coach Mike Ladner and Sydney’s parents — Cheryl and Jeff Tilton of Richmond — joined her at center court, where she was presented with the game ball.

In an emotional interview afterwards, Underhill-Tilton said she has been working hard toward the goal, which she would not have reached without the help and support of her family, friends, fans and coaches. She referred specifically to Ladner, who “has always been my biggest fan,” assistant coach Troy Kendrick, who has been “pushing me and standing by me all my life,” and her travel team coach, Mike Day of Monmouth, with whom she has worked since her early middle school years.

Underhill-Tilton also recognized the full support of her parents, who attend all of her games.

“They’ve seen my good, my bad and my ugly,” Sydney said. “They stick by me always.”

While pleased with the Bobcat win, Underhill-Tilton gave all the credit for her part in it to her behind the scenes supporters. “There are so many people to thank, a lot more,” she said. “This is barely the beginning.”

She has applied to several colleges, including the Maine Marine Academy in Castine, but said her dream is to go to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn.

“I want to drive my own ship,” she said. “I want to protect our coastline from potential threats. I want to serve my country.”

PHOTO: Richmond Bobcat Sydney Underhill-Tilton stands center court at Mt. Abram Regional High School following the game in which she scored her 1,000th varsity point. With her are varsity head coach Mike Ladner, left, and her parents, Cheryl and Jeff Tilton. (Submitted photo)