SPRING VALLEY — Cade Stasiek, a Spring Valley senior who has shined both as the quarterback of the football team and the point guard for the basketball team, is cementing his legacy as one of the best Cardinals to ever take the floor, becoming the school’s second all-time leading scorer.

In Spring Valley’s Jan. 13 win against Luck, Stasiek put on a clinic with 33 points on 14-15 shooting, adding 14 rebounds, six assists and four steals. With the dominant night, Stasiek tied Reece Keehr’s second all-time scoring mark of 1,268 back in 1978. Since that night, Stasiek passed Keehr’s mark and is now only chasing Cory Kreibich’s 1,821 points set in 1992.

“It hasn’t quite hit me, but I think after the season I’ll realize how my career really has been comparable to some of the people I look up to,” Stasiek said.

Stasiek knew he was close to reaching the milestone, but he did not find out he got it done until after the game.

Sean Borgerding (2017) and Aaron Borgerding (2020) are two players who reached the 1,000 point mark in recent years. These two names are significant to Stasiek, as they babysat him growing up.

“I’ve always looked up to them in every aspect in life, and it’s just an honor to be up there with them,” Stasiek said.

Seeing the way the Borgerdings carried themselves helped Stasiek become the player and person he is today.

As a freshman during the 2021-22 season, Stasiek felt a special connection to the senior class. One of the seniors in particular happened to be his brother Coy. Stasiek said it is not often that brothers get to take the court together, especially with the age gap they have, so he savored every moment.

“The seniors I had when I was a freshman were some of the best leaders and friends anyone could ask for their first year of high school,” Stasiek said. “I’m going to miss them the rest of my life.”

His last game playing with Coy in Sectionals was a memory he will cherish forever.

Between Spring Valley’s undefeated regular season and conference championship in football and the 9-2 start to the basketball season, Stasiek and the rest of the senior class have cemented themselves in school history.

“Football, it was one of the best experiences of my life,” Stasiek said. “I got to spend my last season with some of my best friends that I’ve had in my entire life and we made it a good season.”

“This year in basketball we have pretty high expectations on ourselves and I’m sure other people hold high expectations for us,” Stasiek said. “So far I feel like we’re living up to those.”

Looking ahead, Stasiek is looking to play football or basketball in college. He is currently searching for the school that will be right for him both as an athlete and student. Stasiek plans to study computer science in either cybersecurity or IT.