Red Wing Duo Reaches Lofty Career Milestone Together
RED WING, Minn. (WCCO) -- Kids who grow up together often dream of one day playing on a state tournament team together.
For many, it rarely turns out that way.
But for a pair of teammates on the Red Wing girls basketball team (ranked No. 3 in Class AAA), not only were goals reached, but so were two very big milestones.
It all happened on one improbable night.
"They just know where each other is going to be," coach Dave Muelken said. "One of them gets an offensive rebound, and they don't have to look for the other."
And it's been that way for eight years for seniors Tesha Buck and Macy Kelly.
The Red Wing seniors grew up together and both began playing organized basketball back in fourth grade. Both were so good that they were on varsity by seventh grade.
"We were the twin towers," said senior Kelly. "That's what we called each other. She kept growing. I stopped."
Before last week's game, it was well-known that Buck was getting close to 2,000 career points and that Kelly was closing in on 1,000 career points.
"If we were to script it, we wouldn't have changed a thing," Muelken said.
The game against Chaska was tight, and then with about 10 minutes left in the second half, Buck made a lay-up.
Two crucial points in the game -- two milestone points for her career.
"I actually didn't realize I had done it," Buck said. "I kinda knew once the crowd went wild and everything."
The game was stopped as career points 2,000 and 2,001 were celebrated. Play resumed, and just about two minutes later, a key 3-pointer by Kelly got her to the 1,000 point milestone.
"I never thought that we'd get it the same night -- so it's really special," Kelly said.
On top of it all, Red Wing had beaten Chaska, who was ranked No. 4 in the state at the time. The goal now for the duo and their Red Wing team is to make it back to state for a third year in a row.
"It's fun for them," Muelken said. "They are great players, and they are even better kids."
Buck and Kelly both plan on playing college ball next year, but at different schools.
