On Friday, February 16, Nathan Hendler scored his 1191th point, securing his spot as Holy Family’s new all-time scoring leader. With 427 points so far this season, “Big Nate” has led the team to multiple victories. Previously, Justin Dahl held the title with 1190 points over his four-year career beginning in 2012. Other leading scorers include Joe Hanel, and Trent Johnson. Nate also trails behind Matt Quammen, Joe Hanel, and Justin Dahl, who holds the current record of 508 points in 2016 season.

Hendler averages 19.4 points per game and also has had 139 rebounds this season. Nate also ranks 9th in the state for the most three-pointers made, 58 in total with teammate Lincoln Cizek ranked 4th, with 79.

Coach Thuli commented on Nate’s impressive basketball career thus far at Holy Family, “What I have seen most out of him, as a basketball player, is his ability to shoot really well. But he has also improved other parts of his game as well. When he is not shooting well from the outside, he’ll go inside where he can go against smaller players to score when we need hoops. He’s become a very good rebounder and he is close to cracking into the top five all-time rebounds, he is around 60 away, which is another part of the game that people don’t always see. Yes, he can shoot threes but he also does a lot of other things that can go unnoticed. This year what I have seen the most out of him is he has grown as a leader and a player on our team. He scores for us but he is also very willing to pass to get a teammate a shot, or if that shot maybe isn’t the best opportunity. He has become much more patient and he has grown into an all-around exceptional teammate.”

When asked what this accomplishment meant to him, Nate stated, “I care about basketball a lot, so I put a lot of time in. I want to thank everyone that has helped me get here, specifically my coaches, friends, and family. I started at the bottom as a freshman and made my way up. Coaches, friends, family. I’ve had my challenges, and setbacks and I thank them for their patience and time. I set a goal and now it’s time for another goal.”

The team is currently ranked 6^th behind Brooklyn Center, Caledonia, Perham, Minnehaha Academy, and Minneapolis North. In the regular season, four games remain against Norwood Young America, Hutchinson, New Prague, and Waconia. Section 5AA playoffs will begin for the team on Thursday, March 8^th. Come out and support the boys and Holy Family’s all-time leading scorer as they finish an exciting and successful season and head into playoffs.