Abington’s Dixon reaches 2,000 points

Eric Dixon didn’t get to break Abington’s scoring record in his home gym, but he reached another major milestone there on Thursday.

The Villanova-bound senior became the first player in Abington history to score 2,000 points when he hit a free throw with 5:39 left in the fourth quarter of the Galloping Ghosts’ 94-69 win over Springfield Twp. Dixon finished the game with a career-high 50 points, needing 49 at tip-off to reach the milestone.

“It’s kind of not real for me yet,” Dixon said following a 31-point outing in Tuesday’s 67-53 win over Cheltenham. “I grew up here, I’m glad I got to come through here. The school has been here since I think 1927, so for there to not be a 2,000 point scorer yet and for me to have that chance to be the first one in the place I grew up means a lot to me.”

Dixon has been practically unstoppable and has scored less than 10 points just once this season for the now 12-1 Ghosts.

A 6-foot-7 power forward with superb footwork in the post and shooting range out to the 3-point line, Dixon chose Villanova over other finalists Virginia, Louisville and Seton Hall in a ceremony last April in the school’s auditorium. At the time, Dixon cited a desire to stay close to home and give the people who supported him from his first days playing in Abington’s Crestmont Park through high school a chance to continue watching him play.

Dixon, who has been a four-year varsity starter, has helped the Ghosts win the last two District 1-6A titles and Abington is among the favorites to contend for the championship again this winter. He scored his 1,000th point early as a junior and tied the school’s record for single season scoring with 672 points last season when the Ghosts advanced to the state quarterfinals.

“We feel like we have one of the best bigs in the country,” Abington coach Charles Grasty said Tuesday. “We thought why not feed him?”

The senior broke Abington’s school record on December 9 with a 32-point performance in the title game of the Gonzaga DC Classic. Although the Ghosts lost in the final, Dixon was named the tournament’s MVP.

In his first home game following the broken record, a near-full house came out to give Dixon an ovation and the forward noted his appreciation.

“I have my community supporting me, even in a loss, they were telling me how much they appreciate my efforts,” Dixon said on Dec. 13 when reflecting on the school record. “I love and appreciate the support and wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Dixon will join Archbishop Wood graduate Collin Gillespie, currently a sophomore at Villanova, next season.

He is the second area player in the last two seasons to surpass the 2,000-point barrier, joining Plymouth Whitemarsh graduate Taylor O’Brien, who accomplished it last year.

Abington is heading out to Pittsburgh for the weekend, where the Ghosts will take part in the MLK Weekend Stand Against Violence Showcase.

“I used to come to games hoping to see the big moments,” Dixon said in December. “It’s just so special to me having grown up here.”