Nathan Beitler/MDN South Prairie-Max junior Rylee Routledge receives her custom basketball from head coach Cory MacIver in commemoration of surpassing her 1,000th point before their home game against the Bishop Ryan Lions on Friday night, Dec. 19.

The South Prairie-Max Royals girls’ basketball team was at home Friday night, Dec. 19, to take on the Bishop Ryan Lions, and for junior Royal Rylee Routledge, the night began with a celebration for a big accomplishment.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Routledge and the other Royals were in Kenmare taking on the Kenmare/Bowbells Honkers. It was an exciting night for the Royals, as Routledge had 998 earned points during her time on the South Prairie-Max basketball team prior to the game. With just three minutes 33 seconds left in the first quarter, Royals senior Skotti Beck secured a pass to Routledge, who was a few steps behind the three-point line. She took a moment and launched the ball clear into the basket, passing 1,000 career points at South Prairie-Max.

Though she achieved the feat early in the season, it was before the Royals’ home game against the Lions that she was given her dues. Routledge and Royals’ head coach Cory MacIver stepped out onto the court where MacIver presented Routledge with her very own custom basketball featuring the Royals logo, her name and the date of her 1,000th point.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to reach 1,000 points. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and my coaches. [They] play a big role in basketball career,” said Routledge. “I love all the girls. It’s such a highlight to play with them and have such good friendships.”

Since the Royals’ victory in Kenmare, they have entered a winning streak that has reached five total games after their Friday night victory over Bishop Ryan 55-29.

The Royals dominated in the first two quarters of the game, leading 17-5 at the end of the first and leading 29-10 at the end of the second. The Lions earned 11 of their 29 points in the last quarter, more than any other quarter in the game, but the Royals’ defense kept Bishop Ryan at bay, and South Prairie-Max earned their fifth consecutive victory 55-29.

The Royals are not scheduled to play again until after the holiday on Monday, Dec. 29, when they take on Langdon Area-Munich at the Minot State Dome.