Averaging better than 20 points per game, senior Makai Coleman has been Newtown High School’s go-to scorer most nights on the basketball court. The 6-foot guard has had quite a final campaign as a Nighthawk. After being named a McDonald’s All American Game nominee in mid January, Coleman became the fourth Newtown High School player to reach the 1,000 career points milestone.

Coleman accomplished this in a January 24 win over visiting New Milford. He joins Andrew Gellert (1998), Randy Gunther (‘81), and Steve Kordish (‘79) as NHS players to score at least 1,000.

When Coleman drained a 3-pointer in the first quarter the game was temporarily paused to honor the senior. Cheerleaders ran out onto the court with a sign they made in recognition of Coleman’s accomplishment for a photo opportunity and the crowd gave the NHS standout an ovation. Then it was back to action and Coleman finished the game with 20 points in Newtown’s 71-63 win.

Although Coleman generally scores in double figures there are some lower scoring nights, such as in Newtown’s 63-54 setback to Bunnell of Stratford on January 19. These sort of games are a product of what happens when Coleman is double teamed throughout the game. He was limited by Bunnell to five points but still had an impact on the game.

“It’s fun and frustrating. You’ve got to roll with the punches,” said Coleman, adding that such scenarios give him a chance to make his teammates better by looking to pass the ball more than usual.

Newtown Coach Matt Murphy said the Nighthawks were prepared for Bunnell’s defensive strategy. “To his credit he did a great job getting his teammates involved,” Murphy said.

Coleman has a better than 40 percent field goal shooting average despite defenses regularly focusing on him. He is a threat to drive to the basket and hit long-range shots, making more than a trio of 3-pointers per game.

Coleman is not content with his All American Game nomination. He is hoping to make the cut as one of the players selected to play in the game, in Houston, early this spring.

“It’s definitely an honor but I’ve still got to work. Making the game would be big,” Coleman said.

The NHS senior is considering a postgraduate program to bolster his collegiate-playing opportunities as he looks to continue his playing career. Coleman is 18 years old and has had a passion for the game since he was 4 or 5. The key to his success, he said, is hard work in between games.

“Just staying consistent. There’s a lot of hours in the gym, putting shots up,” Coleman said.

It appears four NHS girls have reached 1,000 points. Current Coach Jeremy O’Connell noted that Riley Wurtz and Bridget Power each achieved the milestone point total under his watch and former NHS Athletic Director and Coach Gregg Simon said Lynn Lattanzio and Kelley Haines both scored 1,000.

Any way you look at it, Coleman is in pretty select company.

“He’s one of the top players in the state,” Murphy said. “That’s an elite class of players, it really is. I’m very proud of him — very excited for him.”

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.