Ehler had "no clue" when he broke school scoring mark

In the town he once called home, Sidney senior basketball player Paxton Ehler broke the Red Raiders’ career scoring record. The moment occurred during a game on Feb 7 at Gering.

Ehler broke the record previously held by Paul Hamilton, who scored 848 points between 2004-2007. Depite the historic mark, Ehler was unaware of his accomplishment at the time. In fact, he wasn’t informed of his achievement until the next day.

“I had no clue I was even that close,” said Ehler. “I seem to remember me and my Dad talking about it last summer. It seemed like I was so far away that it wasn’t a realistic goal. I guess it’s been a pretty good season, though.”

Ehler has a vague recollection of Hamilton. He remembered him from the days when he first moved to Sidney. Ehler came to Sidney from Gering before his 5th grade year.

Basketball records apparently run in the family. Ehler is the son of Jay and Sheri Ehler of Sidney. Jay, the Sidney Public Schools Superintendent, still holds Scottsbluff High’s record for most points in a game with 50.

Sheri Ehler is the Principal of West Elementary School.

Entering the Gering game Ehler had a career total of 835 points. Depite being oblivious to his career total, the moment came in the third quarter when he sank a three pointer from the left side. His total now stands at 902.

It is perhaps fitting that Ehler should have broken the record with a trey, as he also holds or shares three school records in that department. Last season Ehler tied Collin Harvey’s single-game record with 7. He also broke the career mark for threes last year. He surpassed Justin Huus’s 108 from 2004-05.

His next three pointer will set a new standard for a season. Ehler is now tied with Harvey with 61 treys for a single campaign - a mark which Harvey accomplished in 2010-11. Collin Harvey is the cousin of SHS junior Lane Harvey - Ehler’s starting backcourt mate.

“It’s kind of a cool thing to have a school record,” said Ehler. “Maybe it’s something I’ll think more about after the season.”

For Ehler the most pressing immediate concern is winning games. Ehler is the leading scorer for a Raiders team which is rated in the top 10 in Class B according to the NSAA points list. Two other Class B6 teams are in the top 10, as well, including Gering and Scottsbluff.

The district tournament opens up Mar. 1, at Western Nebraksa Community College in Scottsbluff. The Raiders final regular season game is Friday at Alliance.

Ehler was recruited by and will play for Nebraska Wesleyan University starting this fall.