Stephan Iron Shell is one cool customer.

He made school history with a three he converted late in the third quarter Tuesday, becoming the fastest player at Arizona Lutheran Academy to reach the 1,000 career point mark. It took the junior just 66 games to accomplish the feat.

But there wasn’t much jubilation from Iron Shell during a timeout right after his big moment. He just went back to work, helping his team secure a 71-44 win over a neighbor, Heritage Academy Laveen, still in search of its first victory over ALA.

Iron Shell’s strong work ethic is a trait that his godmother, Valorie Cervantez, instilled in the junior. He and ALA coach Doug Meyer were quick to credit Cervantez for keeping Iron Shell on track.

“The big thing is that Stephan just has such a passion for the game,” Meyer said. “He has a shooting coach, a finishing coach and his godmother, Valorie, who he lives with. He grew up on the San Carlos Reservation, and she has taken him in so that he can get an education and have a future. So she has loved him in an amazing way and is committed to whatever he has to do.”

Iron Shell scored a game-high 25 points to help his 2A program improve to 8-1, with its only loss coming to 3A power Valley Christian.

“It’s feels good,” he said about the milestone. “I just trust in God. Trust my work. I put in a lot of work. My mom always tells me that hard work is going to pay off one day.”

That belief also helped Iron Shell’s team.

ALA trailed 6-2 with 6:06 left in the first quarter before its calling card, defense, took over, keeping the opponent scoreless for the next eight minutes or so. 

ALA went up 18-8 at that point, but Meyer, one of the state’s coaching leaders, expected more from his boys. 

“Your shot selection stinks,” said Meyer to his five players on the court during the game.

But ALA was smelling like flowers immediately after that.

A sweet pass from point guard Luis Guerrero to his 6-5 low post force, Noah Draper, led to an and-1 that fell. Draper followed with two more baskets to give his team a 13-point lead.

Draper also kept Heritage Academy Laveen’s leading scorer, Danye Sypho, from scoring in bunches. Sypho’s teammate, guard Cameron Irby, did score 19, though.

With three key players set to return in the near future, ALA figures to get better as the season progresses. It already possesses plenty of depth and unselfishness.

“We are willing to do whatever we have to, and that’s what’s fun about this group,” Meyer said.