By Dina Caloggero

Jessica Popken, a junior at Saint Clement in Medford, scored her 1000 point in basketball on February

18. She became only the fourth female to join the prestigious one thousand point scoring club at Saint Clement High School, a school which has been in operation since 1925. Jessica, a forward, has been on the girls’ varsity basketball team since the seventh grade and team captain since the eighth grade.
Jessica said she was grateful to al her teammates and her coach, Alyssa Jann. “It was very humbling. Without the help of my all my teammates, both past and present I would never been able to do it. It took a team effort for me to do it.” She added that all my teammates have been very supportive through her years at St. Clement. She also thanked her coach, Alyssa Jann. “She was also a 1000 point scorer and she calmed me down and boosted me up when I needed it.”
Although this mile stone is very gratifying, Jessica says that she is happier that her team made the State Tournament for the 2nd time in 3 years under Coach Jann.
Saint Clement Athletic Director Ryan Murphy stated, “This could not have happened to a better person or a better family. Jessica is a very hard worker and instills that work ethic in all of her teammates. The way Jessica plays brings a great sense of pride to the athletic program, her sportsmanship, and respectful manner is a great example for the younger students in our athletic program”.
Popken has been a mainstay in the Saint Clement Athletic program for many years. She has been a league all star in all three of her sports during her time at Saint Clement High School. She is also captain of the volleyball and softball teams and an active member of the national honor society.