TINTON FALLS – Ranney School senior Joe Esquivel-Murphy has scored his 1,000th career point on Feb. 21 for the varsity boys’ basketball team against American History High School.
Esquivel-Murphy needed 6 points when the game began to reach the milestone, which seven other Panthers have accomplished in the school’s history. Esquivel-Murphy scored all 6 points in the first half and was joined by Director of Athletics Tom Moriau on the court, who presented him with the traditional symbol of the achievement, a basketball marking his initiation into the 1,000-point club.
“I have watched Joe grow not only as a basketball player, but also as an outstanding young man,” Moriau said. “Joe has worked so hard on his game throughout both his Middle and Upper School career. This achievement is only fitting for someone of Joe’s caliber and I know he will succeed wherever life takes him.”
Joe was also joined by his teammates, Head Coach Tyler Schmelz and Assistant Coach Eldridge, his parents, and twin sister, Alexandra, who is also a senior at Ranney.
“The day I interviewed for the position at Ranney, I was driving away and I saw a young kid working on his game on the outdoor court by himself,” Schmelz said. “Four years later, the same kid is still working on his game every chance he gets.”
The Panthers came out strong with a ton of spirit against AHHS as they celebrated senior night and were anxious for their teammate to reach 1,000 points. Esquivel-Murphy and his fellow members of the class of 2014, Will Rotolo and Grahame Wade were recognized for their dedication to the athletic program before the game.
Esquivel-Murphy said when the shot went in he “was filled with elation … When I started my high school basketball career at Ranney, 1,000 points was a dream of mine. On Friday night, that dream became a reality.”
