Rylee Edmondson’s teammates swarmed her after the ball swished through the net.

Shortly after that serenade, Edmondson’s family ventured to the court and presented her with Lewis-Palmer orange and black balloons near midcourt at Cheyenne Mountain. Edmondson posed for photos with family as well as a banner displaying her photo and emblazoned with the number “1,000” for her career points milestone.

The Rangers beat the Red-Tailed Hawks 53-36 on Friday evening to improve to 10-9, but Edmondson’s bucket wasn’t a buzzer beater. The Rangers senior’s first 3-pointer of the game wasn’t even in the second half.

Edmondson’s score gave Lewis-Palmer a 10-5 lead against Cheyenne Mountain with 4:57 left in the first quarter and put the Rangers’ guard over 1,000 career points.

“It feels awesome. That was exciting and I’ve worked really hard for this,” Edmondson said. “I’ve practiced a lot and I’ve put in the work and I feel that confidence. I’m willing to go out there and work hard and put in the effort.”

In 2024, Edmondson watched her brother, Cohen, score 1,000 points for the Rangers’ boys basketball team. After reaching the 1,000-point mark, Cohen said, “Seeing her play a big role was awesome to see as an older brother. … It’s tough (to score 1,000), but I think she can do it.”

Edmondson recalled the memory and said it felt great to watch her brother join the 1,000-point club and to bring the moment full circle.

“It means a lot to have family here,” Edmondson said. “They’re a big part in what helps with my confidence. They’re always there for me and it means a lot to have their support.”

After the swift celebration, athletes returned, Edmondson punched the clock and went back to work.

In addition to reaching 1,000, Edmondson torched the Red-Tailed Hawks (7-10) for a career-high 31 points and had seven in the first quarter to help the Rangers build a 15-13 advantage. In the second quarter, Edmondson poured in 12 of Lewis-Palmer’s 15 and led the Rangers to a 30-21 halftime lead.

“The special part about her is not her scoring abilities, but the work that she puts behind it,” Rangers coach Kristy Youngpeter said. “When the fans aren’t here and the lights aren’t on, that’s when she puts in the work and that’s what has gotten her to where she has in life.”

While the Rangers celebrated Edmondson’s accomplishments, they remained focused on the game’s outcome. As the postseason looms, the Rangers sit at 31st in the Colorado High School Activities Association’s 5A RPI poll. The top 32 teams receive a playoff berth and the Rangers continue to fight for another postseason spot.

Cheyenne Mountain had a balanced scoring attack of Brooke Kelly, Harper Pike, Emily Judi and Clara Petz, who combined for 23 of the Red-Tailed Hawks’ points.

The Rangers led 42-27 after three quarters and Addison Kenley finished with eight points for the Rangers and Aubrey Gross added five to help thwart any Red-Tailed Hawks comeback efforts.

“We have to continue to work hard and continue to fix mistakes where we have them,” Youngpeter said. “This is a special group of young ladies who pull together and even through hard times they boost each other up and try to give each other a spark where they can.”