LAKEVILLE - As the 2024-25 high school basketball season started, LaVille's Collin Czarnecki knew that he was approaching history. The 6-foot-4 senior entered the new season holding the number two spot on the all-time scoring list, less than 200 points behind 2015 LaVille graduate Blake Berger. And, provided he stayed healthy and continued his consistent offensive play, there was a real good chance that Czarnecki would become the all-time leading scorer. As the 2024 Hebron holiday tournament approached on December 27 and 28, Czarnecki had worked his way to within 44 points to tie Berger's record and 45 to break the record. After another consistent outing in the first round of the Hebron holiday tourney against Tri-County, the versatile Lancer guard suited up with the goal of getting a win with his teammates. "Going into the championship was awesome," recalled Czarnecki. "All day I was looking forward to the game because I wanted to bring home a trophy and I knew I was super close to the record and I thought getting both in the same night would just be a great night. I was super pumped all day to get the game started." After a 13 point first half, Czarnecki went off for his best offensive quarter of the finals, scoring 11 points. Nearing the midway point of the third quarter and just three points away from the LaVille scoring record, Czarnecki overplayed a pass while playing defense, got the steal and while scoring on a lay up, was fouled. He was able to convert the and-one opportunity and to achieve the scoring record. "I honestly lost count of my points during the game but I knew I was a bucket or two off the record," Czarnecki said of the steal and play that helped reach LaVille Basketball history. "Once I got to the line I thought it was possibly the shot that would break the record and I was honestly pretty nervous. I had a big adrenaline rush but I was able to hit the shot still and the feeling was very cool. It was a moment I will never forget because of how the LaVille fans, my teammates, and my family cheered. My family cheered super loud and for a long time which was just awesome. I love them all so much and the support they have for me is just amazing." Ironically, much like the way Czarnecki scored his 1,000th point last season, a single free throw was the method to become the new all-time leading scorer. "It is pretty crazy that both achievements came from a free throw because there’s just so many other ways I score throughout a game," smiled Czarnecki. "Both being free throws made it very special though because I was able to relax after both shots and just listen to all of the fans cheer." The four-year Lancer starter finished the championship tilt with a game-high 26 points. Following the game, he acknowledged the LaVille Basketball family and following Berger's career and how much he looked up to the 2015 graduate "Being part of the LaVille Basketball family is just so great," explained Czarnecki. All of my teammates and coaches just make it amazing. I love every single one of them. Breaking Berger’s record is a huge honor to me because when I was younger, I looked up to him a lot. He was a great player and so were all of those who are high in the record books. Having my name in a record above so many great names is so cool and it just shows how hard work and commitment pays off. I hope younger kids today can look up to me like how I did when I used to watch Berger. "I want to just thank LaVille and especially my coaches and teammates for allowing me to be in the position to break the record." Congratulations on a job well done, Collin. LaVille Basketball All-Time Leading Scorers Top 10 1. Collin Czarnecki, 2025 2. Blake Berger, 2015 3. Carl Herbster, 1968 4. Andrew Hostetler, 2013 5. Adam Steinke, 2017 6. Luke Beehler, 2019 7. Pat Adkins, 1986 8. Tim Dykstra, 1980 9. Jordyn Williams, 2012 10. Nicholas Amor, 2013