Dempsey Becomes Third-Fastest Player To Join 1,000-Point Club

Posted: Jan 09, 2024

CAREER POINTS LEADERS | 1,000 POINT CLUB

Written by Michael Clapprood '25
- Endicott Athletics Sports Information Assistant

BEVERLY, Mass. — For any high school or collegiate basketball player, the 1,000 career point mark is a prestigious accomplishment.

On January 4, Endicott junior forward Sarah Dempsey (Windham, N.H.) nailed a free throw with 7:15 remaining in the fourth quarter against Curry College to achieve the 1,000-point feat.

Before her time on the North Shore, Dempsey became the third student-athlete at that time to etch her name in the 1,000-point club for the Windham High Jaguars. She is used to being the main focus of opposing defenses throughout her young playing days.

Basketball has been a mainstay in the Dempsey household with her father, Craig, playing his college ball at Dean College.

"He's been a huge part of who I am as a player and a person. My parents are a huge support system and always have feedback for me," said Dempsey.

On the hardwood, Dempsey has played a significant role in the Gulls' success since stepping foot on campus in August 2021. In her first season, Dempsey produced 15.0 points per game (PPG), 10.3 rebounds per game (RPG), and 1.5 blocks per game (BPG), while shooting 45.2% from the field.

She notched 419 points in her first season in an Endicott uniform which ranks 15th all-time in a single season. Dempsey earned Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Rookie of the Year and All-CCC First Team honors in 2021-22. She was fifth in PPG, second in RPG, and fifth in BPG in the conference during her freshmen campaign.

Dempsey also tied the single-game program and conference record of 37 points (T-34th in DIII in 2021-22) against Western New England on February 2, 2022.

In her sophomore season, Dempsey continued her strong play with 386 total points, with averages of 13.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 1.6 BPG in 28 games played. With her tenacious work on the backboard, she collected five double-doubles and produced 20 points or more in five contests.

On November 30, Dempsey reached the 500-point milestone with a 21-point effort against Salve Regina. Later in the season, Dempsey scored her 750th point versus a familiar foe, the Seahawks, on February 18.

Dempsey's other single-game milestones that season include 20 rebounds (t-2nd all-time), a program-record 13 free throws, and 18 trips to the charity stripe against Nichols on February 1, 2023.

She ranked seventh in scoring in the conference with 386 points and 10th in points per game in 2022-23. Her work on both ends of the court ignited her to a second career All-CCC selection on the third team.

This season, Dempsey has picked up right where she left off for the Blue and Green averaging 17.9 PPG (second in CCC), on 47.3% shooting, and 7.3 RPG (11th in CCC) during a 3-2 start to conference play.

"She is not the same player she was in her first year. She has created more variety in her attack. She can score in many ways, her defensive presence has improved, and she's a great teammate," said head coach Brittany Hutchinson.

With most of her damage done within high percentage looks in the painted area, Dempsey has only made eight three-pointers in her entire career. This makes her reaching the 1,000-point plateau so early in her career even more remarkable.

Dempsey's advanced post moves allow her to be versatile in both scoring and passing.

From the perimeter, Dempsey presents a strong pull-up jumper and a great feel for her mid-range stroke.

"Sarah's playing style is that she remains very cool, calm, and collected. Her shooting is so smooth and rhythmic," Hutchinson explained. "She stays true to who she is as a shooter and really picks her spots well. She finds ways to score no matter what the defense is doing to limit her."

Dempsey currently ranks first on the team in +/- per game at 9.8 (indicates whether a team outscores or is outscored by its opponent when the team or athlete is on the floor; per HUDL) and true shooting percentage at .536 (takes into account field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws; per StatCrew).

Statistically, Dempsey's game can be historically compared to fellow Gull greats, Heidi Stevens Fazzina '00 (4th all-time; 1,429 points; 21-76 3PT), Sarah Dunfey '01 (5th all-time; 1,337 points; 0-1 3PT), Ceciley Chisholm '10 (9th all-time; 1,214 points; 0-2 3PT), and Ashley Vitale '11 (10th all-time; 1,173 points; 1-1 3PT) due to their damage done inside the three-point arc.

In her 67th career game, Dempsey became the third-fastest student-athlete in program history to reach the 1,000-point plateau behind all-time leading scorer Melissa Tarpy '98 (58 games; 1,560 points; 193-593 3PT) and Fazzina (66 games, per available data), both Endicott Hall of Famers.

Dempsey sits at second all-time in career scoring per game at Endicott at 14.8 PPG behind Tarpy who averaged 18.4 a contest. Dempsey also sits as the current runner-up in rebounds per game with 8.8 behind Dunfey ripping down 9.1 a matchup.

Although, Dempsey is first in both offensive and defensive rebounds per game with 2.9 and 5.9, respectively. Her constant work on the glass prompts the Gulls to set up their offense and work to get the best shot knowing she will be in a battle for every rebound.

"Sarah will continue to help the program develop simply because she is committed to her player development," said Hutchinson.

The junior nursing major has great potential to break Tarpy's record of 1,560 career points by the end of her career in Beverly.

As for the present, the Gulls will look to maintain their early momentum in conference action and garner their first CCC Championship since 2019-20.