HADLEY — With his father watching from the stands, Sam’i Roe calmly knocked down a 3-pointer against Mahar Wednesday night.
It wasn’t just any shot for the senior.
The shot gave Sam’i Roe 1,000 points for his career at Hopkins Academy.
He became the 22nd member of the Golden Hawks’ 1,000-point club. Former teammate Brett Morrison accomplished the feat last March. Roe is only the third player since 2004 to hit the mark.
“I came from New Jersey,” Roe said. “That’s a good accomplishment for me to come here and score 1,000. Especially in three seasons.”
Roe moved to the area from Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2014 to live with his father, Lou, who had been working with the UMass basketball program since 2012.
Sami’ Roe’s game has only improved over the last three years.
“I work hard on everything I need to improve,” Sam’i Roe said. “My shooting, dribbling and my speed. Working out in the offseason.”
Much to the delight of Hopkins coach Angelo Thomas, the milestone came in a 62-42 win over the Senators (10-1, 7-1 Hampshire).
“I am very proud of him,” Thomas said. “He was trying to win the game tonight and he came out on fire.”
After the milestone basket, Lou Roe greeted Sam’i with balloons.
“He wants to be great,” Lou Roe said. “I waited for Sam’i to play basketball. I never pushed it. I showed him a few things but he figured it out on his own. That’s a blessing.”
Lou Roe played basketball at Atlantic City High School and graduated in 1991 with 1,804 points before an All-American career at UMass and a professional career that spanned the NBA and overseas.
When Sam’i Roe arrived at Hopkins, his opinion of his talent might have been too high, according to his father.
“He thought he was a little better than he was,” Lou Roe said. “After a couple workouts and being around UMass basketball it helped his development into what he is today.”
What Sam’i Roe is today is an all-around player with a much-improved outside shot.
“His first year he had eight total 3-pointers,” Thomas said. “He was a liability. He’s really worked on that. You can’t leave him open. If you get too close he’ll go around you.”
Roe had 25 points and 13 rebounds against Mahar.
“I don’t know of anyone in western Mass. who is doing that from a guard position,” Thomas said.
The Golden Hawks (8-1, 6-0 Hampshire) pulled away from the Senators in the second quarter and led 37-20 at halftime.
Jon Morrison’s play in the first half helped build the lead. He had 13 points with 11 coming in the first half. Morrison added four blocks for the Golden Hawks.
John Earle scored 23 points with two 3-pointers in the third quarter that helped quell a 6-0 run by Mahar.
“The best thing we did tonight is we played a good team game,” Thomas said. “Our guys that score will get theirs, but we have to do it in a team setting. You have to pass it to get it back. It’s a trust thing.”
Earle switched up his style in the first half, grabbing offensive rebounds and attacking the rim for nine first half points. The second half saw Earle coming off screens and getting open looks. He had three 3-pointers for the Golden Hawks.
Outside of two points by Irvin Compass, Earle, Morrison and Roe accounted for all of Hopkins points.
