Growing up with two older brothers who played basketball and a father, Steven Conrad Sr., who coached Spartan Youth Basketball, Jace Conrad, now a Garden Spot High School (GSHS) senior, has no memory of the first time he picked up a roundball. "As far back as I can remember, I had a basketball in my hands," stated Jace.

A moment Jace will never forget, however, happened on Jan. 28 when the GSHS boys' varsity basketball team played against the Solanco High School team. Going into the game, Jace knew he needed 8 points to reach a high school career goal of 1,000. Not far into the second quarter, Jace scored his 1,000th point. "I got a rebound from my teammate from the corner," he said. Jace took a 3-point shot, and he sunk it. "I just remember that the play was in slow motion," he said. "As soon as I took that rebound, it was just me and the ball," Jace stated. "It brought me back to being a kid shooting by myself, and I saw the ball go straight through the hoop."

During the next few seconds, pretty much everyone in the gym erupted in celebration. "When it happened, I raised my hand up, and I smiled," Jace remembered. "My teammates ran to me." Officials paused the game for a celebration, which included the presentation of a banner made by fellow students in Jace's graphics class and T-shirts made by his brother Steven Jr. The T-shirts sport a photo of Jace and "1,000 points" on them. As happy as the celebration made him, the best was still ahead. "My favorite part was going to my parents," he said. "Just the look on their faces - the love and the motivation for the game. I couldn't have done it without my brothers, (Steven Jr. and Ryan)," Jace added.

Jace's first experience with organized basketball was as part of the Upward program for preschoolers. He next played Spartan Youth Basketball at the Brecknock gym, experiencing championship seasons with both junior varsity and varsity teams in the program. Along the way, Jace had some coaches and trainers who inspired him to work harder. He trained with former GSHS player Todd O'Brien (also a 1,000-point scorer) and with Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Coatesville program coach Ricky Hicks. However, he also credits his mother, Shereen, with pushing him when he was tired and not moving quite as quickly as usual. According to Jace, that does not happen too often. "My favorite part is waking up every day and knowing I can pick up a basketball," he said. "I enjoy every part of it," he added, noting that he works on dribbling and shooting daily. "Consistency (is key)," he pointed out. "What you put into it is what you get out of it."

Jace also looks up to a few specific professional players. "I watched players like Derrick Rose, and my family loves Kobe Bryant," he noted, adding Michael Jordan is a Conrad family favorite as well. "When I applied what I learned (from watching them) to my game, that's when I started to love it," he said.

With a total of 1,093 career points, Jace is number three of seven GSHS students who have reached 1,000 points. The top scorer is Curtis Waltman, with 2,689, who coached Jace in varsity basketball this year.

In addition to securing his 1,000-point status, Jace has had a few unforgettable moments growing up in a house where basketball was an important focus. "I had the honor of playing (at GSHS) with Ryan, which is awesome," said Jace, who also recalled scoring 21 points in a game against Lebanon as a freshman and winning a game against Warwick with the GSHS team when he was a sophomore. "We weren't supposed to beat them," he reported, adding that this year and last, GSHS came back to beat Ephrata in both of the team's second matchups. "I have so many memories you can't erase," he stated.

While Jace has had many memorable experiences playing basketball, he has other interests and hobbies as well. "I love clothes," he stated. "That's one of my favorite hobbies." He added that he and his girlfriend of two years enjoy hunting for outfits at thrift stores. "We know each other's style, so sometimes we shop for each other. That's always fun," he said.

In the realm of sports, Jace's interest has not been confined to basketball. He has played on the GSHS football team, and he also dabbled in lacrosse and baseball when he was younger. Those interests may serve him well in the future. Jace plans to continue his basketball career at Albright College in Reading, where he will pursue a degree in physical education with a goal of being a teacher like his dad, who teaches in the Coatesville Area School District. "I interned at Brecknock Elementary, and I found a joy in teaching kids about physical health," Jace said.