Scoring points always came easy for Beth Natale when she played for New Castle High in the 1980s.

On one night, they came easier than she ever imagined.

Natale, now Beth Stanley after marrying former Union and New Castle head coach Mark Stanley, was recognized prior to last night’s Beaver-New Castle game for scoring a record 54 points nearly 24 years ago. The achievement, which goes for both boys and girls and still stands today, occurred on Jan. 17, 1987, against Quaker Valley.

“I was kind of taken back,” she said of the honor. “The nicest thing about it is I teach in the district, and many of these girls ... I had in kindergarten. So it’s been nice to follow their success throughout the years from kindergarten ’til now.”

Natale, a teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, was given a commemorative basketball, which was painted by former New Castle player Jazelle Dennis, then spoke to the crowd at the Ne-Ca-Hi Field House. New Castle coach Jason Rankin started the tradition of bringing back former players last year, when Lady ’Canes all-time leading scorer Lorri Johnson was honored.

His current players cruised past Beaver, 72-38.

(Sports writer Joe Simon profiles Beth Natale Stanley in the Friday, Jan. 14, edition of The News.)