Cailei Buna reached the milestone during a basketball varsity game against Baldwin Park High School, marking a significant achievement that reflects years of dedication and perseverance. The accomplishment comes after she returned following an ankle injury that sidelined her last season.
During her recovery, Buna said she learned the importance of patience and trusting the process. “I learned how to be patient during my injury,” Buna said. “My coach reminded me how important the rest was so I could come back stronger.”
Buna credited her coach "Duck" Duckering, for supporting her throughout her recovery and for tracking her career scoring total — something Buna said she had not focused on earlier in her high school career. “It was never something I paid attention to until I hit the 500-point mark,” Buna said. “That’s when I realized I had a goal to work toward.”
The 1,000-point milestone is a benchmark reached by few high school athletes and is often the result of sustained performance over multiple seasons. Buna’s achievement is especially notable given the time she spent rehabbing her injury and working her way back to full strength. “Watching my teammates and not being able to play was really hard,” Buna said. “I wanted to force it and get back on the court, but I had to stay the course.”
The milestone also carries personal significance for Buna, who followed in the footsteps of her brother, a former Sierra Vista High School basketball player who also reached the 1,000-point mark as a senior and graduated last year.
Buna has been playing basketball since she was 4 years old. She expressed gratitude for her mother, whom she said has been a constant source of encouragement throughout her basketball career, traveling and supporting her goals. “My mom has always been supportive of me and my basketball journey,” Buna said.
Buna’s 1,000th point was celebrated by her teammates, who rallied around her during the game. After the milestone basket, friends surprised her with a poster and flowers, turning the moment into a shared celebration on the court.
As an 11th grader and a member of the varsity team, Buna continues to play a key role in the program. Looking ahead, she said she is focused on finishing her junior year strong and setting her sights on postseason success.
“I’m looking forward to ending my junior year strong and working toward CIF in my senior year,” Buna said.