Rath Hits Career Milestone, Scores Her 1,000th Point

On Tuesday, February 1, the near-capacity crowd that gathered inside Eatonville High School's Rainier Connect Arena came to show their support for the seniors on the team on Senior Night, what many of them didn't realize was they were about to witness the culmination of a goal one of those seniors had set nearly 10 years earlier. They would get to watch as Hailey Rath scored her 1,000th career point.

With 11 seconds left in the first half of the game against Hoquiam, Rath had the ball just outside the three-point arc, she pulled back to half court and then called for an isolation play where she would be 1 on 1 with her defender. With roughly 6 seconds on the game clock, she drove the lane beating her defender off the dribble, split two other defenders, and floated up a left-hander off the backboard that dropped into the basket fulfilling that goal she had set in elementary school.

Here is the play where Rath scored the 1,000th point of her career at Eatonville High school. Video: Trevor Smith

"As I went up for that floater and watched as the ball went into the hoop, I felt all sorts of emotions inside my body. It was the best feeling ever, hearing everyone cheer loud for it and hearing everyone chant my name made me feel supported throughout my whole journey," Rath said.

Rath has had many coaches and mentors throughout her basketball career and wanted to thank many of them. "I would like to thank Kahla Hall, Bobby Lucht, Vanessa McLendon, Gavin Stanley, Connor Stanley, Stephanie Stanley, Andrew Herres, Dereck Driggs, Mark Swartout, and Erik Swartout for helping me become the player I am today."

There were not just coaches she wanted to thank, "I also want to thank my family, friends, and teammates for believing in me, pushing me to be my best, and being by my side every step of the way."

The journey to 1,000 began nearly 17 years ago at the young age of 1 when Hailey Rath began playing the game she would grow to love. With a mini basketball in her hand, she would run around her family's living room shooting baskets on her miniature basketball hoop.

A few years later, at 4 years old she would join a team here in Eatonville through the Eatonville Youth Sports Association. For the next 6 years, she would begin playing on teams with many of her current teammates and during that time is when she began creating the dream/goal of scoring 1,000 points in her high school career.

In 6th grade, Rath would begin playing for the Northwest Magic until her softball coach Gavin Stanley wanted to make a travel league basketball team because he saw that he had a team full of multi-sport athletes, which was when she started playing for Viking Elite basketball. She played throughout middle school for the Vikings and then started high school ball for the Cruisers.

When asked if she changed her game plan or how she prepared for the game knowing she only needed 9 points to reach her goal. Rath said she didn't change anything, "I was aware of how many points I needed but it didn't make me overthink the game of basketball. My game plan remained the same as every other game. I got locked in the moment I entered the gym and got hyped with my teammates like always."

Rath had set a school record for points scored in a game with 43 back in 2019 during her sophomore season. Back then, I asked her what the key to that point outburst was. She said one of the keys was her Nana Debbie Herbrand's homemade chicken noodle soup.

For this accomplishment, no chicken noodle soup was needed. However, there may have been another one of Hailey's Grandma's that was a key.

"My Grandma Rath passed away about 6 years ago and as the National Anthem was being played before the game by our band, I was talking to someone in heaven that means a lot to me and I said, "This one's for you Grandma" and I made her happy. She's with me at all times and I know she was with me on Tuesday night. I did it for you, Grandma," Rath shared.

I reached out to a few of Hailey's coaches to get their thoughts on her achieving this career milestone.

Her current coach, Erik Swartout had a lot to say about the type of person Rath is and he was very proud of her.

"I'm super happy and proud of Hailey for not only this accomplishment but her commitment to consistent improvement in herself on and off the court. This is just a testament to the dedication and work she puts in all year round. The fact that she was able to reach 1,000 points during two covid years is an extremely impressive feat. Including Hailey, there have only been 7 people in school history (Boys and Girls) to reach 1,000 points in their basketball careers; so to be able to watch her compete over the last several years has been special. Hailey is an extremely humble kid and I've been fortunate to coach her alongside some really amazing young ladies. She'll be the first to tell you she wouldn't have accomplished this without the support and trust from her teammates over the last four years. Hailey is a special athlete with a bright future ahead of her and I can't wait to see everything that she can accomplish."

As Swartout alluded to, there have only been 7 players that have joined the elusive 1,000 Point Club in school history, four girls and three boys. For the girls, Liz Clark (1,262 points), Becca Schrimpsher (1,249 points), Sammie Swartout (1,114 points), and Hailey Rath (1,039 points and counting). For the boys, Jordan Osborn (1,453 points), Erik Swartout (1,359 points), and Mike Schaub (1,153 points).

I also spoke with Gavin Stanley, Rath's coach with the Northwest Magic basketball team from 6th to 8th grades. Stanley also was one of Rath's first travel softball coaches at an early age. He could talk for hours about how much he loved coaching her over the years.

Hailey with her Viking Elite coach Gavin Stanley. Photo: Sara Rath

"Knowing Hailey as a softball player I knew she thrived when her personality was able to shine through. I can't tell you how many times I have called her name out loud in support just to see that smile shine throughout the ball field or gym! I actually do it as a spectator when I get the chance to see her play. Though I had very direct expectations about competitiveness and a focused mindset I knew Hailey played best when I could see that big smile. There were sometimes I needed to be a coach and help her reset but she was consistent in her development and became a force for our team. Whether driving with conviction to the rim or draining 3 pointers, she made an impact every weekend on our youth team as that left hand improved and improved. We had great success in league play and at the middle school state championships in Spokane. Hailey was always right in the middle of those successes and I appreciate her more and more as I think back on it. That competitive attitude, that loving, supportive family, that athletic skill set… but most of all that smile. I am so proud of her accomplishments at Eatonville but knew she had it in her from the beginning… and just think... she is going on to play softball in college. That makes ME smile!" gushed Stanley.

While Hailey is an incredibly talented basketball player, her real love is out on the fastpitch field where she has been a 4-year starter for the Cruisers. As Stanley mentioned, Rath will be attending Western Washington University in the fall to continue her education and fastpitch career with the Vikings.