McDermott Makes History as GCDS First 1,000 Point Scorer

Brianna McDermott, an 11th grader at Greenwich Country Day School, is the first-ever GCDS Basketball player to score 1,000 points, a major feat in high school basketball. As tri-captain of the Girls Varsity team and a fierce point guard, Brianna achieved the noteworthy milestone on Dec. 9, 2023, at the second game of her third season vs. Proctor Academy.

“Few in the sport get to 1,000 points in a high school career, Bri has done it in a little over two seasons,” said Elisa Brown, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach. “She is a dominant scorer, and shoots successfully from all three levels of scoring. Her long-range 3-point jump shot is incredible, and she has an uncanny ability to anticipate 2-3 plays in advance.”

On Jan. 6, Brianna was celebrated by the GCDS community before a packed home game against Hopkins School. Tim Helstein, GCDS Director of Athletics, and Head of School Adam Rohdie presented Brianna, who was surrounded by her family, teammates, and coaches, with a cased basketball with her name and 1,000 points on it. Upon completion of the Determination Over Negativity (The DON) Mitchell Family Athletic Center (now under construction) next year, a banner recognizing 1,000-point scorers will hang in the gymnasium with Brianna’s name on top.

“I have a great sense of pride knowing that it is Bri's name that will forever be at the top of the list,” said Helstein. “It is rare that I enter the gym and not see Brianna working with her teammates on basketball skills or putting up shots herself. She's the ultimate teammate, ultimate competitor, and ultimate student of the game. I’m just glad she wears the orange and black jersey.”

Brianna is very proud of her record-breaking accomplishment. In addition to being a high scorer, she wants to be remembered for her work ethic, her fighting spirit, and for being a great teammate. “I don’t want people to think I could just put a basketball in a hoop. I want them to remember me as someone who made others better. This means so much because of all the hard work that went into it, but there’s so much more to be done.”

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