For Slippery Rock boys basketball’s Josh Book, 1,000 points is great, but ‘team success is the main goal’
Slippery Rock High School’s main gymnasium, known as the “Launch Pad,” has seen its share of memorable moments over the last two decades.
Josh Book added two more Wednesday night.
The Rockets’ senior forward scored his 1,000th career point for the boys basketball team with a putback in the first quarter of a crucial region game against Sharon.
Then, with his team trailing by three points, he drained a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to tie the game at the end of regulation. The Rockets went on to defeat the Tigers 88-82 in overtime.
The newest member of the 1000 point club! Congrats Josh https://t.co/1PNWzELSd0
— Corey Corbin (@gcsportsguy97) January 16, 2025
Book, who was named Butler Eagle Boys Basketball co-Player of the Year as a junior, entered the game needing just eight points to reach a grand for his career. Averaging 24.8 points per game this season, it was a near certainty he would get there against Sharon, but a win over the Tigers was in serious jeopardy.
“Scoring my thousandth point in a game we won, that’s what it’s all about,” Book said. “Team success is the main goal, and nothing I’ve done would’ve been possible without my teammates.”
During his sophomore year, Book was a reserve who had a knack of coming in and hitting treys. He’s now a well-rounded and extremely effective frontcourt presence averaging a double-double with 11.6 rebounds — who can still hit daggers from beyond the arc.
Just ask Sharon, which had four players guarding him before he let fly with his tying 3-pointer.
Josh Book buzzer beater 3 to send it to OT! @SRRocketHoops @gcsportsguy97 @BobGreenburg @ChrisBurtch3033 @professorbriggs @ETNreisenweber pic.twitter.com/pUatKiYE8P
— Quinn Parson (@quinnp43_) January 16, 2025
“There was four seconds and change left when we inbounded,” Slippery Rock coach AJ Motta said. “We designed that play to get the ball to Josh, but we had other guys out there in spots to take a 3. He put it up, and it worked out for us.”
Motta can count on Book for much more than impressive stats.
“Scoring 1,000 points was a big moment for him, a huge weight off his shoulders,” he said. “Right after the basket that got him there, he ran over to the bench to be with the other players. He’s the ultimate team player, is well-liked and respected by the rest of the team.”
Book will take away much more than individual accolades from this season.
“All of the seniors, we’ve been playing ball together for 10 years,” he said. “It’s a close group, we’re all best friends.”
And loaded with potential on the court.
Senior point guard Max Kovacik is averaging 13 points per game and, according to Motta, “handled Sharon’s press very well” Wednesday.
Doug Popovec is putting up 8.2 points and Anderson Franco 6.9. Braden King rounds out a starting five in which all players have contributed to the team’s nine wins.
Book’s name will soon be added to the 1,000-point banner hanging in the gym, joining seven others in program history, but there is another banner more important to him that he hopes to help the Rockets (9-4) earn — one that comes from winning a District 10 championship.
“(Against Sharon), Anderson and I both fouled out in overtime,” said Book, who will play basketball at Grove City College. “The other guys handled the pressure and closed out the game for us. I know we have what it takes to get it done.”
