Girls basketball: Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro reaches 1,000-point milestone against PV Christian (PHOTOS)

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro attempts a shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro attempts a shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational Head Coach Jackie Duggan, bottom right, talks to the team during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational Head Coach Jackie Duggan, bottom right, talks to the team during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro (12) is surrounded by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points during a game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield.

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro (12) is surrounded by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points during a game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, left, begins to pose for photographs after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, left, begins to pose for photographs after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, center, is given flowers after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, center, is given flowers after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Quincie-Jade Clayton (5) high-fives Rosalyn Hudson (15) after scoring a three-point shot during the high school basketball game against Smith Vocational at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Quincie-Jade Clayton (5) high-fives Rosalyn Hudson (15) after scoring a three-point shot during the high school basketball game against Smith Vocational at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, second from left, takes photographs with family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, second from left, takes photographs with family and friends after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, poses for photographs after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, poses for photographs after surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, left, dribbles around Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Sadie Keegan (14) during the high school basketball game at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, left, dribbles around Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Sadie Keegan (14) during the high school basketball game at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Ella Knox (13) shrugs after scoring during the high school basketball game against Smith Vocational at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy's Ella Knox (13) shrugs after scoring during the high school basketball game against Smith Vocational at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro attempts a layup during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. Tatro's shot would eventually fall through the net, surpassing 1,000 career points.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro attempts a layup during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. Tatro's shot would eventually fall through the net, surpassing 1,000 career points. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational's Nyia-Marie Forbes, center, is surrounded by defenders during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Nyia-Marie Forbes, center, is surrounded by defenders during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a layup against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield. Tatro’s shot would eventually fall through the net, surpassing 1,000 career points.

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a layup against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield. Tatro’s shot would eventually fall through the net, surpassing 1,000 career points. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a three-point shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro (12) attempts a three-point shot during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield.

Smith Vocational’s Makayla Tatro, right, is hugged by her teammates after surpassing 1,000 career points against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, wipes her face while celebrating surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield.

Smith Vocational's Makayla Tatro, right, wipes her face while celebrating surpassing 1,000 career points during the high school basketball game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy at Pioneer Valley Christian Academy, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Springfield. STAFF PHOTO / DANIEL JACOBI II—

By RYAN AMES

Staff Writer

Published: 01-17-2025 9:34 PM

SPRINGFIELD — Makayla Tatro needed one basket to surpass 1,000 career points after one quarter of the Smith Voc girls basketball team’s game against Pioneer Valley Christian Academy on Friday.

Fourteen seconds into the second frame, Tatro reached the milestone on a fast-break layup as the senior guard finessed the ball into the hoop following a turnover from the Eagles. The elation of the historic accomplishment was evident immediately from Tatro, which then turned emotional when the Vikings star was joined on the court by family and friends for a brief celebration.

“It impressed me but also I knew it was happening, I mean I’ve worked really hard for this,” Tatro said. “Year four now, top scorer, I just played my heart out. It was a lot of stress that came off my shoulders.”

Tatro scored eight of Smith Voc’s 12 points during the first quarter, which set the stage for the memorable put away early in the second.

“Honestly, she’s a really consistent scorer for us,” Vikings head coach Jackie Duggan said. “She gets us going on nights that we’re not super hot. She’s just a really good basketball player, like you can tell she’s spent a lot of time playing. She loves the game and if everybody could score 1,000 points it would be much easier, but that’s why so few actually do it.”

Tatro finished the night with 20 points and  was all around the court for Smith Voc throughout the night as No. 12 secured multiple rebounds and steals. According to Duggan, it’s normal to see Tatro heavily involved in all aspects of the game.

“She’s definitely quick, she’s got a quick release, she’s got a really nice, smooth shot,” Duggan said. “She’s a great shooter. On the other end of the floor she’s just as quick. Great shooter, great team-member, great person also.”

Tatro entered Friday’s contest needing nine points to eclipse 1,000 and admitted the nerves got the best of her early in the game, although, you wouldn’t have been able to tell based on her fast start.

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“I was a little more anxious, but I think that I was able to pull my head out and focus on the game itself and not points, the points were going to come regardless,” Tatro said.

Perhaps the lone sour note of the evening for the Vikings was the final score as PVCA beat Smith Voc, 48-33, to remain undefeated on the season. The Vikings fell to 7-3 on the year in their first loss in three games.

“I think that, to me, is like more worth[while] earning that 1,000 points, in a game like this versus a blowout game,” Duggan said. “It means more when it’s against a really good team.

“Going into it I thought we were pretty even in terms of like looking at scores, looking at just what we had,” Duggan said. “Obviously not super happy with the outcome, but we do play them [again] in like a week for a rematch.”

Smith Voc’s next game isn’t until Thursday, Jan. 23 at High School of Commerce, which comes four days before the Vikings and Eagles will square off again at home on Monday, Jan. 27.

Tatro currently sits with 1,011 career points and will be very important in determining how far of a postseason run Smith Voc can put together. Now with the individual goal being met, Tatro’s new focus is short and sweet.

“Win games, play basketball,” Tatro said.