All-time scoring record another major goal checked off for Harbor Springs' Flynn

HARBOR SPRINGS — With a career average at over 25 points a night, putting a single point in the scorebook wasn’t going to be a challenge for Harbor Springs junior Olivia Flynn on Thursday night last week.

But, that one point carried a little more weight than the 1,641 that came before.

With a first quarter layup against visiting Inland Lakes a week ago, Flynn became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,642 points, then later finished the night with 27 points and 1,668 for her career, and counting.

A player truly dedicated to the game and being the best each and every night, it’s another big goal Flynn can cross off.

“It’s been one of my goals ever since I started playing here at Harbor,” she said. “I knew that I wanted to be the leading scorer. I definitely feel accomplished, but I’m definitely not done yet. The big goal I’ve been working for is scoring 2,000 points, so it’s nice to know I’m almost there. It’s a point on my goals list I can cross off.”

Flynn broke the previous mark held by Harbor Springs Athletic Hall of Fame standout Christi Shibata, who set the mark of 1,641 points as a 2000 graduate.

Having not been even born when Shibata was playing, Flynn only knew of how great of a player she was, but not a whole lot more.

“I knew that she owned the record and that she played at Kent State, but she was quite ahead of my time,” Flynn said. “I actually don’t know her at all personally, but I’ve heard she was a really great player.”

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Flynn picked up the record quickly on Thursday against the Bulldogs, then the game was stopped to present the new record holder with a commemorative ball and take a few photos. She also got in hugs with teammates and of course one instantly from her mom and head coach, Amy Flynn.

With a giant goal checked off, Flynn, already a two-time first team all-state guard that’s gaining plenty of collegiate interest, has more to add to the list.

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Averaging close to 560 points a season at the moment, another big year ahead – including postseason – should put Flynn well over the 2,000 point mark for her career, potentially top 10 all-time in the state.

“It’s crazy to think about,” Flynn said. “We were talking about that today and what the record is for the state. I don’t know it off the top of my head, but to know that I could be up there excites me and motivates me and keeps me going for sure.”

Currently, No. 10 all-time is Tonya Edwards of Flint Northwestern with 2,307 points. A pair of Northern Michigan standouts top the Michigan High School Athletic Association list in Central Lake’s Jasmine Hines (3,034) and Harbor Light Christian’s Stephanie Hass (2,732).

Beyond her own play over the course of the 2023-24 season, which has come with a 20-2 record and 16 straight wins down the stretch, Flynn has been delighted to see the progression of her teammates this season. The likes of Sophie Barnadyn, Bryleigh Rummer, Marlie Richardson, Paige Keiser and Stefi Reskevics have all had big scoring nights. It's also taken some pressure off the standout junior.

“It’s been so nice to see that these girls can do it too,” Flynn said. “I love it when all of the girls score double digits. We’ve had a few of those games this year. It’s so nice and almost refreshing to know they have my back too. I can rely on them and depend on them just as much as they depend on me.

“It definitely takes the weight off my shoulders a lot. It’s so nice not having that anymore and knowing that other girls can step up, make big shots, get rebounds, play defense. All of it.”

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Harbor will put that 16-game win streak to the test at 6 p.m. Wednesday when they host a district semifinal against Menominee.

Flynn will of course add to her record-breaking career Wednesday, then a win would also put the Rams in a hosting situation on Friday for the district championship.

Hoisting a title trophy has eluded Flynn and the Rams so far in her career, so it would be another major goal checked off one week later.

Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Harbor Springs junior Olivia Flynn becomes all-time scoring leader, eyes state list