After reaching 1,000 points, Trent Rice reflects on career with Cardinal Mooney boys hoops

MARINE CITY — Baseball is Trent Rice's best sport. He's committed to play at Oakland University next year.

But until then, Rice is busy cementing his legacy in a different sport with the Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team.

The senior became the sixth player in program history to score 1,000 career points on Feb. 23. With at least one game still remaining in the season, Rice can add to his current total of 1,029.

"You don't get to 1,000 points unless you're really good," Cardinal Mooney coach Mike McAndrews said. "For four years, he's been the face of our program. He's taken the reins from some of the leaders he played with when he was younger — and he's taken us to another level."

"It's an honor," Rice said of the achievement. "I've been through this varsity program for four years and played with kids that raised me to be who I am right now. To be around them and to be around this program, it's just a blessing to me."

Four seasons on varsity isn't common at Cardinal Mooney, which runs a demanding, up-tempo offense. Yet Rice is the exception to the rule.

"Coach Mike, he's believed in me every year," Rice said. "Especially when I was coming as a freshman … he chose to keep me on the varsity team and believed in me. I'm really blessed to have him as a coach."

"It's been awhile since I've had a kid play varsity for four years," McAndrews said. "But he's probably the most athletic kid that we've had in our program for 25 years. Just his speed from end to end, the way at which he plays. He's been a nightmare for opposing coaches and he's made my job easier."

Rice's relentless intensity has also benefitted his teammates.

"He's one of the fastest kids I've ever seen," junior guard Brian Everhart said. "When I see him pushing up the court, I know I've got to go (to the) corner because he's going to drive and kick. He's making the right decisions most of the time."

"(Rice's style of play) helps me a lot," senior center Dominic Cattivera said. "When the defense collapses on him, I'm open on the block to get my layups. He's good at giving me the ball and it's great to have that connection with him on the court."

The Cardinals' connection with Rice off the court is just as vital. This is a close-knit team with deep roots.

"My teammates, I've known a lot them before we even came here," Rice said. "It's been a blessing to be able to share this moment with them. They've been here with me the whole time."

Cardinal Mooney celebrated Rice's milestone at halftime of Thursday's home game against Madison Heights Bishop Foley. The senior captain was presented with a basketball commemorating his 1,000th point.

"I'm so proud of him," Everhart said. "He puts his heart into this game and gives it everything he has every night."

"You love to see it," Cattivera said. "It's great to see a guy of that caliber getting that big of an achievement. I'm proud of him as a friend and as a teammate. He deserved it."

After the game, Rice was asked if he ever envisioned making history.

"I don't really think about accolades too much," Rice said. "Coming in as a freshman, I didn't think about 1,000 points or anything like that … but it's a memory that I'm going to have forever."

Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.