The Knights found themselves down 12-11 midway through the opening quarter when Font nailed a 3-pointer to give her team its first lead at 14-12.

And at the 2:47 mark, Font reached the 1,000-point career scoring mark following a steal and a layup. She is only the third girl in the long history of the program to do so, joining Warren County career scoring leader and former Knight Elisha Jones and teammate Clara Steinberg.

“I am so happy for Lainey,” Eisenhower head coach DJ Steinberg said. “She has worked really hard to put herself in this position and is a great example of hard work paying off. I am glad that it happened in front of our younger players. She is such a good role model for hard work. Hopefully, many of them will want to put in the work also. Just such a monumental moment for her and our program becoming only the third girl to reach it. I just can’t say enough about her.”

After Font’s milestone bucket, the Knights went on an 8-0 run and held the Big Reds scoreless to take a 24-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Font is joined by teammates Laney Belcher, left, and Clara Steinberg, right, to celebrate her achievement. Photo by Mark Evans

Eisenhower extended its lead to 34-22 at the half, thanks to a 3-pointer by Font and field goals by Clara Steinberg, Riley Robinault and Laney Belcher.

The Knights held West Middlesex to just four points in the third quarter and, thanks to balanced scoring from their starters, their lead ballooned to 56-27. With a comfortable lead, Coach Steinberg began to work in his younger players.

“I thought West Middlesex did a good job handling our pressure in the first half,” he said. “We made some rotational mistakes which cost us some points. Font, Samantha Childs and Laney Belcher had a great third quarter defensively, and with Robinault’s rebounding and steals, we played a very strong second half.”

In the junior varsity game, the Big Reds defeated Eisenhower 34-21. Eisenhower was led by Kira Walker’s 6 points.

WEST MIDDLESEX (43)

Eisenhower’s Lainey Font poses with head coach DJ Steinberg after scoring her 1,000th career point on Saturday against West Middlesex. Photo by Mark Evans

Shaffer 0 0 0, Jones 4 0 8, Babcock 4 0 8, Mild 0 3 3, Briggs 6 0 13, Stephens 1 6 8, Sowers 1 0 3, Totals 16 9 43.

EISENHOWER (64)

Font 5 4 19, Childs 2 0 4, Belcher 5 2 12, Robinault 3 2 8, Steinberg 8 2 21, Kent 0 0 0, Black 0 0 0, Totals 23 10 64.

3-point goals — Briggs, Sowers, Font 5, Steinberg 3.

West Middlesex 12 10 4 17 — 43

Eisenhower 24 10 23 7 — 64

Jayvees: West Middlesex 34, Eisenhower 21

MONDAY

LADY KNIGHTS POST WIN

UNION CITY — It may have been near zero outside but the Eisenhower Lady Knights’ shooting was red hot as Clara Steinberg had 30 points and Riley Robinault had 16 to lead Eisenhower to a 66-48 region win at Union City on Monday night.

Eisenhower jumped out to a 27-11 first quarter lead as Steinberg had 14 points in the opening quarter.

It was Robinault’s turn in the second quarter as she tallied 2 points to open up the Knight’s lead to 45-21 at the break.

Eisenhower came out of the locker room cold as the Lady Bears outscored Eisenhower 20-6 in the third quarter to cut the lead to 51-41 heading into the final quarter.

Eisenhower was patient with the ball and Clara Steinberg was 6 of 7 from the free throw line down the stretch as Eisenhower defeated Union City 66-48.

Lainey Font chipped in 14 points for the Lady Knights who improved to 9-3 overall and 4-2 in region play.

Eisenhower is back in action on Thursday when it welcomes Girard.

EISENHOWER (66)

Font 5 4 14, Childs 0 2 2, Belcher 1 2 4, Robinault 8 3 16, Steinberg 11 6 30. Totals 25 17 66.

UNION CITY (48)

Hunter 2 0 4, Brenner 0 0 0, Cummings 0 0 0, Creamer 0 0 0, Kent 2 0 4, Greer 8 2 20, Vantassel 7 6 20. Totals 19 8 48.

3-point goals–Stenberg 2, Greer 2.

Eisenhower 27 18 6 15 — 66

Union City 11 10 20 7 — 48