Grace Howell is a senior at Arete Prep who finished her final high school basketball season by passing the 1,000-point mark, making her the career leading scorer at the academy, leaving a school record that will be hard to beat. 

“The way she can shoot the ball is one of the best in the state, hands down,” said the coach of the girls’ program and her father, Jake Howell. “It’s been a joy to watch her put the ball through the net non-stop.”

It was a great capstone to an amazing high school basketball career that has included three trips to the state tournament. Two of those her team made it to the Sweet 16 and one to the Elite 8.

In the 2020-21 season she was freshman Player of the Year. She was an all-region first team player all four years, and Class 2A Valley All-Region Offensive Player of the Year. Howell is ranked 56th in the nation for three-pointers.

Howell’s 1,000th point came as a surprise to her during a home game for Arete Prep against San Tan Charter on Jan. 2 of this year.

“I didn’t know that I was six points away," she said. "My coach kept that from me. My thought process going into the game was business as usual. I got a steal, dribbled down for a three-pointer, and when it went in my coach called the timeout, which was really out of character.

“I was walking back to the bench and then all of a sudden I hear our athletic director’s voice over the PA system.”

It was Arete Prep Athletic Director Todd Conklin announcing to the fans and a surprised Howell that she had just surpassed 1,000 points.

“It was surreal to realize that I accomplished what I accomplished," she said. "It was emotional.”

And her proud father/coach was right there to celebrate (and shed a few tears) right by her side.

“My career has been a roller coaster, a fun roller coaster,” she said.

While this achievement marks a high point for Howell, she’s weathered her fair share of lows.

Diagnosed with scoliosis in eighth grade, she endured the daily struggle of wearing a back brace for two years.

Despite this, she continued to excel on the court, even having to put the brace back on after games.

And although she feared the season might not happen due to a shortage of players initially, she persevered.

“It prevailed,” she said. ”I just hope it’s not the end.”

Howell wants to play at the collegiate level and is in a recruiting process, hoping to announce her decision soon. But until then, she is continuing to make the most of what is left of her senior year with her friends and teammates.

Howell expressed her gratitude to everyone who has supported her throughout high school.

“I’d like to say thank you to my all my teammates past and present. I wouldn’t have accomplished what I accomplished without them," she said. "Thanks to my family for being at every game and for really pushing me to develop my game to where it’s at now. They’ve all been a key factor in shaping me as a person and an athlete.

“I never would have imagined that I’d be standing here leaving with the accomplishments, leaving the legacy that I created, and having that influence on the program.”