DeWalt overcomes obstacles and injuries to top 1,000-point mark for Montreat College

On Feb. 16, Montreat College's Darah DeWalt became the second Cavalier in less than two weeks to cross the 1,000 career-point threshold on the hardwood. The milestone basket came on a layup midway through the first quarter in a game against Union College.

It also came during the Cavaliers’ upset of the Bulldogs that propelled them into the AAC postseason tournament. There they fell to the number 12 team in the country, the Bryan College Lions.

DeWalt's fellow senior Arianna Williams reached the 1,000 point mark on Feb. 5.

“It was a really nice way to wrap up the regular season and to wrap up my senior season playing at Montreat College, only it wasn't the end of the season. We found out that we made it to postseason play which was the cherry on top,” DeWalt said. “Our team exceeded expectations and achieved a few of the goals that we set together at the beginning of the season, so it was a satisfying way to finish my basketball career and a fun way, too.”

The Cavs finished up 13-17 overall, the most wins for the team since the 2013-2014 season. They finished up in conference with a 12-14 mark, which represented a doubling of their conference wins from last year and was the most in at least 15 years.

DeWalt  reached the mark despite being sidelined all of last year with a torn labrum. It was a goal she committed to in high school and saw come to fruition as a senior in college.

“Achieving my 1,000 point milestone was a goal of mine from the moment I got onto Montreat’s campus. I wasn’t able to get it when I was in high school, so I was very determined to get it in college,” said Dewalt. “When I tore my labrum in my shoulder last year, I thought that that goal would, yet again, out of my grasp,” said Dewalt. “I worked hard throughout the season and my teammates were very supportive and encouraging of it as well.”

The senior’s timing was impeccable, as it came on Montreat Senior Night, where DeWalt was honored with fellow seniors Katie Dillon, Williams, and Jala Daniels.  

“The fact that I got my 1,000th point on Senior Night was the most incredible feeling. My whole family and a few of my friends were there to see it in person, I got it on the last time I played in McAllister Gymnasium,” said DeWalt, who had 182 points in her senior season.  

DeWalt is just the 15th women’s basketball player in Montreat history to reach the mark.