Holder Breaks 2,500 Point Mark
Marissa Holder continues to break records and post mind-boggling stats for the Piedmont Academy Lady Cougars basketball team.
The senior has now surpassed 2,500 points for her career and could likely be near the 3,000 mar before her high school career is over.
Holder is the all-time leading scorer for Piedmont Academy basketball (boys and girls) and was the GIAA Class AA Player of the Year last season.
Her skills have impressed coaches across the state as her natural ability and work ethic have helped make the Lady Cougars into a state power.
“Scoring 2,500 points is an incredible milestone,” Holder said. “It’s something that I am really proud of. It represents years of hard work, dedication and the support of my teammates and coaches who have helped make it happen.”
Holder’s coach was long ago convinced of her talent.
“Marissa’s latest accomplishment is something I don’t think this school will see for a long time,” said Coach Michael Wilson. “She’s an absolute beast on the court. Scoring 2,500 points is impressive enough but to also have over 1,200 rebounds and 600 assists for a career is just unthinkable. She’s going to pass 500 career steals soon and dominate four categories. Players like her don’t grow on trees. When you have one on a team you are usually tough to beat and since she’s been with us, we have been.”
Holder dominated on the board despite standing only 5-6.
“To dominate on the boards game in and game out like see does just shows how complete of a player she is,” her coach said. “She can do it all. It’s not just points we will have to replace but also 13 rebounds and six assists and six steals a game.”
Holder returns to the court on Friday looking to add to her already impressive career scoring total.
“To reach this point, I’ve had to stay consistent and committed, both on and off the court. This achievement means a lot to me because it’s not just a personal milestone, but it also reflects the trust and opportunities my teammates have given me,” Holder said. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The overall ability of the Piedmont standout is also what separates her from other top players.
“She is a great individual talent,” Wilson said. “She is a fierce competitor but most importantly, she respects the game and she plays it the right way. She sees the court and shares the basketball, she’s always looking for a teammate. I think she’s made average players really good and really good players, elite. Individuals who can raise the performance of teammates are special and as a coach you recognize that and while pushing her and the team to be the best we can be you can’t help but watch her play and enjoy. I’m trying to do that this year because I don’t think I’ll coach another one like her. I’ve got great young talent who are going to do special things and will help us reload and get back to championship form but it’s definitely going to be a different look we put on the court in the future.”
Having coached Holder throughout her varsity career in several sports, Wilson said she is truly a rare talent even among very talented players.
“She plays a game that few are able to do,” he said. “She has elite Division 1 talent and you don’t see that staying in Monticello too often. One of the things I’ve taken great pride in with this program is that we are home grown. We’ve been blessed to have great athletes who aren’t afraid to work hard. It’s nice to see players like her, who are so talented, stay and play and succeed. For those who haven’t come to watch her play, I’d say they need to come and watch and see for themselves. She’s been here at Piedmont as long as I have and this year is definitely bittersweet because she’s a part of our family for so long and has meant so much to us here. However, that’s what makes Piedmont such a special place in my opinion. You get students as young children and help them grow and watch them grow into amazing young adults. She’s going to pursue golf in college but there is no doubt in my mind that she couldn’t play on any college team at any level.”