A milestone evening on Jan. 16 showed just how far both Hannah Sutton and her teammates have come since she joined the program four years ago.

The Warrenton senior scored her 1,000th point with her first bucket during the Warriors’ title game loss to Duchesne in their host tournament. It was the first time in Sutton’s career that she had played in a tournament championship.

Just as her numbers have improved, the Warriors’ win total is also reaching unfamiliar heights.

Warrenton is now 12-4. During Sutton’s freshman year, the team won just 10 total games.

One of the few female athletes committing all of her time to basketball, she has reaped the rewards of her offseason commitment.

Sutton is averaging a team-best 16 points and 2.1 assists, while collecting 2.8 steals per game. She is shooting 47 percent from the field, including 29 percent from beyond the arc.

As a junior, Sutton averaged 14.8 points and 2.2 assists. She shot just 37 percent, showing a significant improvement.

During her sophomore season, she netted 13.3 points and four rebounds per outing.

Sutton tried her hand at volleyball her freshman and sophomore years but decided to commit solely to the hardwood. She also once played select softball in middle school but has since retreated to the summer pickup games in Dutzow for fun.

Much of Sutton’s focus on basketball was driven by having grown up around the sport watching her older sister, Jill, who graduated in 2007 as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,500 points. A slow start her freshman year will keep Hannah away from that mark, but she has still been able to accomplish enough to earn a scholarship to play for Columbia College.

She plans to study elementary education.

Q: What fuels your passion for basketball?

“I’ve grown up with it my whole life with all my siblings playing and going to all my sister’s games. I hardly ever missed one. It’s been through the family, and now it’s become my love.”

Q: What are your goals for your senior season?

“To get to the championship of the Washington Tournament and win. To win districts and hopefully get to have another home game in March.”

Q: What areas of your game have improved the most?

“I really feel like my man-to-man defense has improved and being able to push the ball a lot more.”

Q: How long did it take you to form your identity separate from your older sister, Jill?

“Everybody thought my freshman year that we got compared probably more than ever. But then everybody started to realize that we’re two totally different players. She’s a lot bigger than me.”

Q: How rewarding is it to finally see this team experience success?

“It is definitely a success, and the atmosphere is completely different. Normally at this time, we’re like, OK, we only have 10 more games and we’re done. But now we don’t want it to end, and we actually look forward to practices.”

Q: Did you anticipate being 11-4 at this point?

“I think we would definitely have a better year, but I didn’t foresee it going this great. I was not expecting the freshmen to make such an impact. Everyone has shown a lot of improvement.”

Q: What is your fondest memory of high school?

“This year getting ready for football games with all the senior girls. We made themes and went all out to dress up for school. It brought the senior class together and was lots of fun.”

Q: What have you learned from playing traveling league ball for your father?

“We’ve definitely had our moments, where we didn’t talk for a few days. But getting to go everywhere and see everything is pretty awesome. Going to Chicago for a week last year was a great experience.”

Q: Who has had the greatest influence in your life?

“Definitely my dad. My grandma had a big impact too. She passed away about three years ago, and now my dad has definitely stepped into her place. He’s always pushed me and been my greatest supporter through personal problems and sports.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

“Hawaii, because I’m too scared to leave the country and not return.”

Favorite Food: “Big Mac.”

Favorite Restaurant:

“Texas Roadhouse.”

Favorite Movie: “The Last Song.”

Favorite TV Show: “Teen Mom 2.”

Favorite Song:

“Blank Space by Taylor Swift.”

Favorite Musician:

“Carrie Underwood.”