Bullpen: McLaughlin continues to pad records at Peninsula

There hasn’t been much intrigue this season regarding the Peninsula High boys basketball all-time scoring record.

JaQuori McLaughlin already broke the school record in his junior season. The school record, which was 1,234 points, was set by Scott Cashman from 2003-07.

McLaughlin currently has 1,626 points. This year, it’s been all padding.

McLaughlin is the best player to ever play at Peninsula High School, and it’s not even close. He has more than 10 school records, some of which are:

▪ Made free throws in a game, 17

▪ Assists in a game, 14

▪ Three-pointers in a game, 7

▪ Points in a season, 573

▪ Three-pointers in a season, 59

▪ Free-throw percentage in a season, 91 percent

▪ Career points, 1,626 (and counting)

▪ Career 3-pointers, 159 (and counting)

▪ Career wins, 57 (and counting)

▪ Career points per game average, 18.5

But ask him about it, and what does he say?

“My teammates helped me out with that, giving me the ball in positions to score,” McLaughlin said. “My coach, when I came in as a freshman, having the confidence in me to be able to score and shoot shots I wouldn’t have if he wasn’t as confident in me. I think that’s a big part of it, just the people surrounding me, having the confidence in me to score.”

It’s the kind of answer that shows the maturity, leadership and unselfishness that makes him a special player for the Seahawks. If McLaughlin really wanted, he could be pretty close to the 2,000-point mark by now. But for him, winning games is more important than individual accolades. Getting his teammates involved is more important to him than dropping 40 on any given night.

The fact that he’s the best player the school has ever produced? Just icing on the cake.

“I always want to be the best player wherever I go,” McLaughlin said. “That’s not really why I score or why I do it. I just want to win, be competitive with my teammates and have a good time.”

McLaughlin and the Seahawks are certainly having a good time this year. The team earned a signature win over Tacoma powerhouse Lincoln over the weekend, becoming the winningest team in school history, currently with a 20-2 overall record. For just the third time in Peninsula’s 69-year history, the Seahawks qualified for the state tournament.

Peninsula coach Jake Jackson knew he would be a special player when he walked through the door his freshman year.

“Coming in as an eighth-grader, everyone said he’d be good,” Jackson said. “From a body standpoint, he was still developing and growing. Just looking at his progression, he’s turned into an amazing player and unbelievable young man. Just having a front row seat has been pretty remarkable. It’s been a team effort. (His father) Jason instills that toughness in him. The love and passion his family has makes him excel. He’s very lucky. He’s very loved.”

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Bullpen: McLaughlin continues to pad records at Peninsula."