Summit's 1,000 Point Scorer Models Game After NBA's Nash

Summit High School senior Emily Cristaldi is a third-year varsity starter on the girls basketball team. The 5'6" shooting guard has led Summit in scoring since her sophomore season; each year, she has improved her stats, averaging 9.5 points per game as a sophomore, 14.7 as a junior, and 22.6 so far as a senior.

This past Saturday, Cristaldi became the fourth female player in Summit High School history to score 1,000 career points.

"It was very exhilarating scoring 1,000 points as a senior," Cristaldi said. "As a freshman coming into high school, I had no idea I would leave being one of four to ever do that. Being able to do it at home was also great because my family and friends could be there."

Cristaldi says that scoring 1,000 points has been her best and most memorable basketball moment, beginning in the early days when she began playing in the third grade.

"I know this just happened like two days ago, but I have to go with hitting 1,000," Cristadi said, describing her greatest basketball achievement. "It was great because everyone was so supportive and it feels nice to have left a mark at Summit."

It's not just her scoring that stands out, however. Cristaldi is also a great leader and passer with the vision to see the entire court. She has a high basketball IQ, creates opportunities for herself and her teammates, and is a persistent defender who anticipates plays. She says she tries to model her game after seven-time NBA All-Star and Phoenix Suns guard, Steve Nash.

"I've always liked the way Steve Nash plays," Cristaldi said. "He sets up his teammates but can score himself and is just fun to watch."

Cristaldi excels from beyond the three-point arc, but also has the ability to step in for the short jumper. Her quick release allows her to get off a shot even when closely guarded. During this past off-season, she worked hard on expanding her game.

"I hoped to improve my all around offense as well as my defense," Cristaldi said. "Last year, I considered myself more one-dimensional because I preferred shooting from the perimeter more than anything else. This year, I'm more well-rounded and I've also tried to step up my defense."

This season especially, Cristaldi's improved and aggressive defense led to countless steals and fast-break points for herself and her teammates. In a majority of Summit's games, the constant pressure she and her teammates put on their opponents created early leads for the Hilltoppers, which the other teams ultimately could not overcome. Defense is something that her coach, Brian Erickson, has been a proponent of since day one.

"He's definitely turned the program around in big ways," Cristaldi said. "Playing for him is great because, by now, he knows us so well that we don't even have to say anything–he knows what we are thinking. It's also great because every year he finds ways to make us better. When I was a sophomore we were 13-13, last year we were 16-8, and this year we've had the best season since anyone around here can remember."

The Hilltoppers are now 16-2 and have clinched the conference title with their superior play.

In the fall, Cristaldi will attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. to play basketball for the Mules. Understandably, multiple colleges were interested in adding Cristaldi to their roster, but in the eyes of this Summit senior, Muhlenberg stood out above the rest.

"I decided to play at Muhlenberg the fall going into my senior year," Cristaldi said. "I had visited around 30 schools, and even after all the tours and overnights, Muhlenberg made the biggest impression. They have a perfect balance of athletics and academics, so I know I can play basketball and still have a normal college experience."

Off the court, Cristaldi's favorite class is English because "it's never right or wrong, but more open to interpretation." Like most high school seniors, she remains unsure of what her professional future holds.

"I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to major in, but in 10 years I hope to have a successful career, just doing something I love," Cristaldi said.

Although Cristaldi will set her sights on the next level this fall, the Summit High senior will always remain a Hilltopper at heart.

"Summit was a great place to go to school, because the teachers are great, the kids are great, and everyone supports one another," Cristaldi said. "When I leave for college, I think I'll miss the small-town feel of Summit and the support it has for its athletics."

Of course, Summit will miss Emily Cristaldi as well. Her contribution to the school and the basketball program will forever remain in the record books and on banners in Summit's gymnasium–Cristaldi's home away from home.