Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon moves the ball while defended by Lackawanna Trail’s Ayla Seigle during a basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon moves the ball while defended by Lackawanna Trail’s Reagan Norman during a basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute logo Show Caption1 of 5Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer) ExpandThe senior hit four 3-pointers and scored 28 points in a 60-32 win over Hanover Area in the third-place game of the Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Tournament, then had four 3-pointers and 24 points, including her 1,000th career point, in a 53-40 victory over Holy Cross in Lackawanna League Division II play. Family: Mother, Kimberly Laboranti; brother, Camden McCullon; late father, Joseph McCullon; mother’s boyfriend, Billy Hyduchyk. He’s a good father figure to me. Coach: Peter Sulla Describe the play on which you scored your 1,000th career point: It was the first quarter, there was about two minutes left. I already had seven points. My coach called for a play called “North Carolina,” which is a 3-pointer for me. I took the shot, banked it and got my 1,000th. Going into the game, did you know how many points you needed to reach the milestone: I did. I tried not to think about it and I think I did well with that. I wanted it to come on a 3-pointer, but I wasn’t going to force it. But I was wide open for that shot and I took it. Why did you want it to happen on a 3-pointer: Over the summer, I would play basketball with my mom’s boyfriend Billy. He’s super tall and he would guard me close and real tough so I could get comfortable shooting in front of people. I really think that helped get me comfortable shooting it. I also played AAU over the summer and feel like I’ve gotten so much better as a person and a player. I’m taking shots that I never would have last year. It’s boosted my confidence and pushed my ego to get 1,000. And I got it. What does it mean to you to score 1,000 career points: It means so much. Making history at Old Forge is incredible. It’s always been a goal of mine and to finally reach it was definitely a time. I loved it. You currently are leading the Lackawanna League with 24.2 points per game. What has been the key for you this season: I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates. It’s hard and a challenge because I get face-guarded every game. But my coaches and teammates, we work together to get me open. Sometimes I can create my own shot. How do you prepare knowing opposing defenses are going to key on you: We have a lot of freshmen on the team, so we don’t have a lot of experience together. So coach always tells me to start in the corner and screen up. Our screening is amazing. When I have the ball, it’s kind of easier for me when I’m being face-guarded because I feel like I can beat the girl off the dribble. When I don’t have the ball, it’s hard for me to get open, but my teammates do a great job trying to get me open. Now that you have reached 1,000 career points, what other goals do you have for the rest of the season: Trying to help get the team ready so that when I leave, the program can keep getting better. I reached my milestone, I want to help my teammates get better and become a great basketball team. You have a unique spelling of your first name. Any significance to it: No. My dad wanted to name me Juliet, like Romeo and Juliet. My mom thought it was too cliche. They thought J-u-l-i-a was boring, so they mixed it up and gave me a nice, unique name. Do people have a tough time pronouncing it: Oh my God, yes! A lot of people have called me Joo-lie-ya. A lot of exotic names. Favorite teams: I love Penn State football. I like to watch a lot of Duke basketball games. Favorite food: Sushi Cake or pie: Pie Favorite school subject: Biology. I like to learn about living things, aquatic life, stuff like that. Athletes I admire: Caitlin Clark, because she brought women’s basketball up. I love Cooper Flagg; great young athlete. And I like Sabrina Ionescu. Superstitions and rituals: I like to write my dad’s name on my shoe, then kiss my hand and hit my shoe with it. I also like to take a spoonful of honey before every game. If you could have any superpower, what would it be: To dunk Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Steph Curry, Drake, my dad one last time. Post-graduation plans: I’m looking at a couple different schools. I don’t know as far as what I want to major in yet. I absolutely want to continue playing basketball in college. Originally Published: January 6, 2025 at 11:30 PM EST

Describe the play on which you scored your 1,000th career point: It was the first quarter, there was about two minutes left. I already had seven points. My coach called for a play called “North Carolina,” which is a 3-pointer for me. I took the shot, banked it and got my 1,000th. Describe the play […]

Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball...

Describe the play on which you scored your 1,000th career point: It was the first quarter, there was about two minutes left. I already had seven points. My coach called for a play called “North Carolina,” which is a 3-pointer for me. I took the shot, banked it and got my 1,000th.

You currently are leading the Lackawanna League with 24.2 points per game. What has been the key for you this season: I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates. It’s hard and a challenge because I get face-guarded every game. But my coaches and teammates, we work together to get me open. Sometimes I can create my own shot.
The senior hit four 3-pointers and scored 28 points in a 60-32 win over Hanover Area in the third-place game of the Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Tournament, then had four 3-pointers and 24 points, including her 1,000th career point, in a 53-40 victory over Holy Cross in Lackawanna League Division II play.
Going into the game, did you know how many points you needed to reach the milestone: I did. I tried not to think about it and I think I did well with that. I wanted it to come on a 3-pointer, but I wasn’t going to force it. But I was wide open for that shot and I took it.
Do people have a tough time pronouncing it: Oh my God, yes! A lot of people have called me Joo-lie-ya. A lot of exotic names.
Why did you want it to happen on a 3-pointer: Over the summer, I would play basketball with my mom’s boyfriend Billy. He’s super tall and he would guard me close and real tough so I could get comfortable shooting in front of people. I really think that helped get me comfortable shooting it. I also played AAU over the summer and feel like I’ve gotten so much better as a person and a player. I’m taking shots that I never would have last year. It’s boosted my confidence and pushed my ego to get 1,000. And I got it.
Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

Post-graduation plans: I’m looking at a couple different schools. I don’t know as far as what I want to major in yet. I absolutely want to continue playing basketball in college.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be: To dunk
Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

Superstitions and rituals: I like to write my dad’s name on my shoe, then kiss my hand and hit my shoe with it. I also like to take a spoonful of honey before every game.
Three people I’d like to have dinner with: Steph Curry, Drake, my dad one last time.
Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon takes a shot during a basketball game against Lackawanna Trail on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute logo

Old Forge’s Jewlya McCullon moves the ball while defended by Lackawanna Trail’s Reagan Norman during a basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
(Christopher Dolan / Staff Photographer)

Now that you have reached 1,000 career points, what other goals do you have for the rest of the season: Trying to help get the team ready so that when I leave, the program can keep getting better. I reached my milestone, I want to help my teammates get better and become a great basketball team.
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite school subject: Biology. I like to learn about living things, aquatic life, stuff like that.
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What does it mean to you to score 1,000 career points: It means so much. Making history at Old Forge is incredible. It’s always been a goal of mine and to finally reach it was definitely a time. I loved it.
Athletes I admire: Caitlin Clark, because she brought women’s basketball up. I love Cooper Flagg; great young athlete. And I like Sabrina Ionescu.
Cake or pie: Pie

You have a unique spelling of your first name. Any significance to it: No. My dad wanted to name me Juliet, like Romeo and Juliet. My mom thought it was too cliche. They thought J-u-l-i-a was boring, so they mixed it up and gave me a nice, unique name.