The blistering scoring pace of Grayson Thomas is now reaching historic levels for the Greenfield boys basketball team. The sophomore is pouring in points this season for the Green Wave, averaging 31.6 points per game.
He is now approaching 1,000 points in only his third year playing varsity basketball. It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen, it’s when it will happen. A sophomore boys basketball player scoring 1,000 points is something that’s never been done before in Franklin County.
Franklin County legend Adam Harrington reached 1,000 early in his junior season. Harrington then went wild, scoring 2,347 points for the Panthers in their state championship runs. There are many 1,000-point scorers in the history of the region, but none accomplished the milestone by their sophomore season.
Thomas is about to become one of a kind in Franklin County.
“I’ve been working my whole life to get this,” Thomas said. “I’ve put in the work. It’s not always fun but it allows me to be in positions like this. I’ve been playing with many of these kids since third grade. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. They push me in practice and I push them in practice.”
Harrington and Thomas have worked out together on occasion throughout the years. The workouts included Jayden Harrington, Harrington’s son, who is one of the top high school recruits in New England for New Hampton in New Hampshire.
“The biggest thing is that he’s put in the work,” Harrington said of Thomas. “He’s very consistent. We always talk about even on a professional level with the guys I work with. Their intensity and consistency are what separate them. I think that’s something he’s done both on and off the court.”
Harrington has worked with players in the NBA and the WNBA.
“Obviously he comes from a pedigree of a really good basketball family, and his dad pushes him really hard,” Harrington said. “He’s very, very competitive. That’s part of his advantage and his edge.”
Grayson’s father and coach Angelo Thomas didn’t reach 1,000 as a sophomore during his time playing for the Green Wave. When Thomas reaches the milestone, he will join his father and Jon Breor as the only 1,000 points scorers for the Greenfield boys program.
Grayson Thomas started playing varsity basketball as an eighth grader. He came off the bench for most of the season before finding a starting role.
“I had a lot to prove to earn my spot,” Grayson Thomas said. “My dad didn’t just give it to me. He made me earn it. I learned a lot from him. He taught me everything I know. A lot of people don’t get the experience that I get and I don’t take it for granted. It’s a blessing to have him as my coach and my Dad.”
During his time playing in eighth grade Greenfield did not run any plays for him. That began his freshman season in certain situations.
“He was ready,” Angelo Thomas said. “He was physically ready; he was mentally ready. I made him earn it. He ended up being our third leading scorer. Basketball doesn’t have an age. It’s a skill. If you’re skilled enough to play, you should play. That’s how I see and That’s how I’ve always approached it.”
Thomas’ game is versatile. The scoring can come from every level.
“We play a team sport,” Angelo Thomas said. “It’s a reflection of his team and his teammates. It’s a reflection of him individually. Ultimately, it’s a team sport. Without his teammates he wouldn’t be able to accomplish this. Also, the hard work he has put in 12 months a year has allowed him to be in this situation. Everybody wants to do it, until it’s time to do it. He’s done the work.”
This was the coaching perspective from Angelo Thomas. As a father, he roots for his son to eclipse his own accomplishments for the Green Wave.
“I am super proud,” Angelo Thomas said. “You always want your kids to do better than you did. I didn’t put in the work that he puts in…I’ve been there for everything he’s done. As a father, I want him to do 100 times better than I ever did.”
As a 15-year-old on the court playing for his father, there are moments of frustration on the court. During a difficult loss to Frontier Regional recently, Thomas sat for most of the fourth quarter. The Redhawks held Thomas to a season-low nine points.
Angelo Thomas uses those moments for teaching his son about dealing with adversity as a father and a coach at the same time.
“I don’t want to say it’s a gift and a curse, because it’s mostly a gift,” Angelo Thomas said. “There are those times when I know what my expectations of him are as a father and as a coach. When he’s not reaching those expectations or playing to his potential, I get on him. That’s the curse part, but also a gift. Don’t make mistakes because you are not engaged in the game. It’s something that I cherish being his coach and his father. But sometimes it’s hard.”
Greenfield plays at Hopkins Academy on Friday before a home game against Athol on Monday.
As of Jan. 21, he stands at 954 points through 51 games played for the Green Wave.