"It felt like a movie’
Putnam County’s Jmari Greene recently surpassed a significant milestone in his high school basketball career.
The senior War Eagle scored his 1,000th point Dec. 9 in a 76-49 home win over Jasper County.
Greene entered the game against the Hurricanes just seven points shy of reaching quadruple digits. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard hit the major mark with a 3-pointer in the first quarter.
“I shot a transition 3-pointer. It felt so surreal; it felt like a movie,” Greene said of the moment he scored his 1,000th point. “The ball didn’t even touch the net, and they stopped the game for a standing ovation.”
Greene appreciated being congratulated at midcourt in the Eagles’ Nest with his coaches and family, but after a brief recognition ceremony, he went back to the court and resumed his work.
Greene led Putnam County in scoring with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out two assists, and had two steals for the War Eagles in a lopsided 27-point win over Jasper County.
“It felt really good. It feels good, and then when you go to school the next day, and you hear other students asking, ‘Are you the player who just scored 1,000 points?’ It’s just fun,” Greene said. “I like the feeling of it.”
Putnam County head coach Patrick Marshall thinks extremely highly of Greene.
“He’s Mr. Clutch. I really love how he steps up for our team with big plays whenever we need them,” Marshall said of his star player. “He takes the coaching that our staff gives, and he just performs. I probably stay on him more than anyone at practice, and this kid just gets it. When the big lights come on, it’s his time to shine.”
Greene had a strong junior season, earning the 2024-25 Region Player of the Year award.
He was the team’s top scorer last season, averaging nearly 18 points per game for a squad that finished 27-3 and made it to the Elite Eight.
“I trained hard. I didn’t skip a beat,” Greene said in March after earning the honor. “I was like, ‘Whatever you do, take it seriously, because somebody is out there right now working harder than you.’ So, you’ve just got to do your part.”
Greene is off to an excellent start in his senior season, entering this week averaging nearly 20 points per game. He now has one milestone checked off — 1,000 points — but knows he still has more goals he wants to reach.
Greene wants to win a region championship and then the state title.
“[The season] is going fine,” he said. “I’m making memories and playing one final time with the seniors. We’re trying to win a championship. I just accomplished one goal, and now we’re ring chasing.”