Flynn became the fifth player in the history of the program to score 1,000 points in the Pirates’ game Tuesday at Pemberton Township High School.
Cinnaminson High School senior Fiona Flynn has made it a personal goal to try to become the highest scoring Flynn in the history of the girls basketball program.
It’s not an easy goal to reach, considering Fiona’s aunt, Laura Flynn, a 1990 graduate of Cinnaminson, scored 1,104 points during her high school basketball career.
“The new family thing is for me to try and beat her,” Fiona said. “It’s a rivalry thing going on.”
Fiona is quickly closing in on her goal. She joined her aunt as one of five players in Cinnaminson girls basketball history to score 1,000 points, reaching the milestone during a 50–47 double overtime loss against Pemberton Township High School on Tuesday. Following a Cinnaminson win over Willingboro High School on Thursday, Fiona sits at 1,011 points, fewer than 100 points away from her aunt with 11 regular season games plus the playoffs remaining.
Athletics has always been a huge part of Fiona’s life. Following in the footsteps of Laura, who went on to attend Harvard University and was the captain of the women’s soccer team, Fiona became a multi-sport athlete. Fiona competed for Cinnaminson in soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring. When she graduates in June, Fiona will have earned 12 varsity letters.
Out of the three sports, basketball has been her best and most favorite. Fiona is a four-year varsity player who has a solid balance of speed and strength. Her athleticism allows her to drive past defenders for layups.
Head coach Bret Jenkins said Fiona does so much more than contribute on offense.
“She gives as much effort on defense as she does on offense,” he said. “Most of the time when you have a leading scorer, that’s not always the case. It wouldn’t be unlikely to see her diving on the floor, going into the bleachers or even covering the other team’s best players.”
Fiona also tries to get her teammates involved on offense. Sometimes, it gets her into trouble.
“Sometimes I pass too much and I get yelled at,” Fiona said with a laugh. “It’s not that I’m uncomfortable taking it to the rim all the time, but if I see someone open and I have a 40 percent chance of making it and they have a 60 percent chance, I’m going to pass it.”
In an attempt to diversify her game this season, Fiona has spent a lot of time working on her jump shot.
“Over the past four years, I’ve been working on my form shooting,” she said. “That’s pretty much all I did over the summer, pull-up jump shots.”
Fiona showcased her best attributes in her 1,000-point milestone game. In the loss against Pemberton, she scored 26 of the Pirates’ 47 points and at one point scored six points in a row to keep Cinnaminson in the game.
“The moment, the score, the situation, doesn’t seem to affect her,” Jenkins said. “She’s the same in the fourth quarter as she is in the first quarter.”
Reaching the 1,000-point milestone was a special moment for Fiona, as she was able to earn her spot in a club that included her aunt.
“Ever since I started playing basketball, that’s all I heard, that (Laura) went to the same high school and she’s up on the banner,” she said.
The best part of reaching the milestone for Fiona was celebrating with her teammates. Some of Fiona’s best moments from her career don’t involve specific games or action on the court, but rather times she spent with her teammates.
“My teammates surprised me,” she said. “They acted like they had no idea I was close. They had all of these posters secretly hidden and they all celebrated for me.”
“Out of all of my years of playing sports, they are the best teammates I’ve ever had,” Fiona added about the team. “They make playing basketball 10 times better. I actually look forward to practices every day because I’m always laughing out loud.”
Fiona’s focus is now shifting to leading Cinnaminson into the postseason. The Pirates improved to 11–4 with last Thursday’s win over Willingboro, and Fiona believes the team is talented enough to play deep into March.
“Our offense is getting better with each game and I think our chemistry is getting stronger,” she said.
Fiona also has one more milestone to reach. Bragging rights for life are on the line as Fiona tries to chase down Laura in career points
“I won’t hear the end of it for awhile,” Fiona said about possibly not passing her aunt. “At family reunions and stuff, she’ll always bring it up to me. It will be on my list (to pass her).”
