Brad Gilson capped off an impressive week on the basketball court by reaching the 1,000 career point plateau in Woodgrove High School’s 69-62 home victory against Loudoun County Jan. 6 in Purcellville.

Gilson, a 6-foot-5 senior who scored 122 points in three games last week, said he was unaware going into Friday’s game that the scoring milestone was within reach. Gilson netted his 1,000th point on a free throw with 1:44 left in regulation. 

“That was a nice surprise to get tonight,” Gilson said. “It means a lot. I have to thank my teammates for not only helping me get open but also for not minding me getting a majority of the touches and the shots.”

Woodgrove coach Steve Douglas credits Gilson’s tireless work ethic, adding that the standout guard will often request to come into the gym on off days to work on his game.

“That is a tribute to him and his work ethic to become a better player. It’s all about work and dedication and putting the time in,” Douglas said. “He’s accomplished, he has good mechanics but he has a great work ethic too.”

Gilson scored 43 points in a loss to Handley Jan. 3 and poured in 54 points in a loss to Park View the following night, both career highs. Gilson led Woodgrove with 25 points against County, and received scoring help as three teammates also reached double figures.

“It’s nice putting up career highs two nights in a row but it is a lot more fun winning, even if it means scoring a lot less points,” Gilson said. “Whenever we get more than two people in double figures, we are undefeated. So that seems to be the recipe for success.”

Joining Gilson in double figures were seniors Brendan Wells, Brett Danielson and Caleb Welsh. Wells scored 13 points, while Danielson and Welsh each added 10.

The Wolverines (7-5 overall, 4-3 in Dulles District play) moved a half-game ahead of County and Park View for fourth place in the Dulles standings. Through Jan. 8, Briar Woods leads the district, followed by Loudoun Valley in second place and two-time defending state champion Potomac Falls in third. 

“This district is pretty loaded on the top end,” said Douglas, who guided the Wolverines to a region tournament appearance in their first season last winter. “We’ve got three losses so every game is a big game for us ... It’s going to be a fun run down the stretch.”

The Raiders (8-6, 4-4) remained within striking distance for much of Friday’s game but could not get over the hump after falling behind by double digits in the second quarter.

Senior guard Stephen Veschi paced County with a game-high 26 points, including six made 3-pointers. Junior Mike Anderson scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Woodgrove 69, Loudoun County 62

LC: Veschi 26, Anderson 21, Herring 5, Stinger 4, Turnage 4, Adams 2

W: Gilson 25, Wells 13, Danielson 10, Welsh 10, Sweet 4, Coil 2, Segal 2, Wick 2, Traub 1

Halftime: Woodgrove, 37-27

3-pointers: LC 8 (Veschi 6, Anderson 2); W 7 (Danielson 2, Gilson 2, Wells 2, Welsh)

Free throws: County (16 of 17); Woodgrove (22 of 31)

-All photos by Carl Lukat