By Michael O’Brien
Special to the Voice
Senior guard Amani Abuhatab became the all-time leading scorer in West Haven High School girls’ basketball Tuesday night during a 68-42 win over Guilford on Senior Night.
Abuhatab scored 24 points in the victory and now has 1,343 for her career, surpassing the record held by Catrina Hawley-Stewart since 1998. Hawley-Stewart, now the girls’ basketball head coach at Hillhouse High School, concluded her career with 1,333 career points. In addition to Abuhatab’s 24 that she scored last night, the senior guard also secured 19 rebounds and is just eight shy of 1,000.
“I actually had no idea that I was going to break the record, I didn’t even know I was close,” said Abuhatab. “Coach kept it from me so I didn’t feel any pressure, so when my teammates came running out I was so confused. I thought it was for my 1,000th rebound! When Coach Mo (Jessica Moriarty) told me at halfcourt I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think it really set in until after the game and I realized how amazing this accomplishment was.
“Basketball is my life, and I’ve worked so hard that to achieve this, just makes me feel so proud. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my teammates and coaches, and I am just so grateful!”
Abuhatab is averaging 19.1 points per game this season and has helped guide the Blue Devils to a 14-4 record. She is just the seventh player in program history to score 1,000 career points. The senior is committed to playing at NCAA Division II Mercy College next season.
“Amani is the absolute full package,” said Jessica Moriarty, head coach of the West Haven High School girls’ basketball team. “She is a great student, an incredible person, and a tremendous basketball player. She is so humble when it comes to breaking records or receiving accolades. Of course, she is thrilled and excited, but when it’s game time, that’s where her focus is. She is a competitor and ultimately just wants to win and be the best.
“This milestone she achieved in becoming the leading scorer in program history is simply just amazing. It is something kids dream of when they are younger; it’s an achievement very, very few accomplish. She is so special and just a complete joy to coach. I’m grateful to have been a part of her journey and can’t wait to see how much more she accomplishes in the rest of her basketball career.”