Jamestown’s Dom Gonzalez is pictured with his parents, Ricky and Karla, after reaching 1,000 career points in Thursday’s game against Clarence. Photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

The whiteboard that hangs on a wall in Jamestown’s locker room had the following “keys” written on it by head coach Billy Miley in advance of Thursday night’s Erie County Interscholastic Conference Division 1 boys basketball game.

They read as follows:

¯ Defense dictates the pace.

¯ Run.

¯ Non-stop communication.

Jamestown's Dom Gonzalez shoots the 3-pointer that gave him his 1,000th career point. Photos courtesy of Steve Garvey

By virtue of their dominant 60-31 win over Clarence, which clinched the division for the seventh straight season, the Red & Green “aced” Miley’s “test” in a convincing way at McElrath Gymnasium.

Fittingly, Dominic Gonzalez was at the head of the class.

The 6-foot senior guard poured in 22 points, grabbed three rebounds, collected a pair of assists and had three steals. Highlighting his banner effort was his second-quarter 3-pointer from the wing that pushed him past 1,000 points for his career. Upon doing so, the game was stopped, the student section tossed glitter into the air and Gonzalez immediately found his parents, Ricky and Karla, where they exchanged long embraces.

With 1,013 career points, Gonzalez is now No. 12 on Jamestown’s all-time boys scoring list, eight points from tying No. 11 Donn Johnston (1,021) and 34 points from equaling No. 10 Mark Edstrom (1,047).

That’s some pretty exclusive company, but based on his body of work, Gonzalez belongs with the best to ever wear a Red & Green uniform.

Jamestown’s Gavin Johnson goes past a Clarence defender for a layup in ECIC Division 1 action on Thursday at McElrath Gymnasium. Photo courtesy of Steve Garvey

“It’s an honor to be able to put in all that work and it shows off,” said Gonzalez, whose name will be added to the gym’s Wall of Fame.

Gonzalez added: “You’re able to be there forever and let the younger generation look up to you and, hopefully, they can one day be up there.”

Added Miley: “I’ve had the opportunity to coach him for six years when he started with the jayvees as a seventh-grader, which is pretty rare, even in our program. Every single year he has come back a better player than the year before.”

Possessing consistent talents at both ends of the court, Gonzalez showcased his 3-point shooting against the Red Devils, connecting on 6 of 10 shots from beyond the arc, including three straight during a 14-2 Jamestown run to end the third quarter. Armed with a 49-18 lead, Miley could give his starters the rest of the night off.

Joining Gonzalez in double figures was senior Gavin Johnson, who scored 18 points, hauled in seven rebounds, dished out four assists and had two steals.

The win improved the Red & Green’s record to 12-4 overall and 9-1 in the division and, barring an unusual set of circumstances in Class AAA, they’ll face Niagara Falls in the Section VI semifinals at Buffalo State later this month.

“When playoffs come, it’s win or go home,” Gonzalez said, “so we know it’s going to be tough and we have to keep playing together and playing hard.”

That comment resonated with the quote Miley had posted on that very same locker room whiteboard mentioned at the beginning of this story.

It read:

“If tomorrow wasn’t promised, how hard would you play today?”

Led by Gonzalez, the Red & Green emphatically answered that question last night.

NOTES: Senior Elijah Farmer grabbed 10 rebounds, collected three steals, blocked two shots and had a pair of assists. … For Clarence (6-13, 4-6), Jackson Turski had 10 points. … The members of Jamestown’s 1,000-point Club are Maceo Wofford (2,259), Justin Johnson (1,670), Zack Panebianco (1,332), Jaydian Johnson (1,320), James Rojas (1,190), David Anderson (1,172), Carlos Rivera (1,149), Tommy Campion (1,145), Trey Drake (1,082), Mark Edstrom (1,047), Donn Johnston (1,021), Gonzalez (1,013) and Mike Maisto (1,000). … Jamestown will be back in action Saturday when it entertains South Park in a nonleague game. The jayvee game will tip off at noon followed immediately by the varsity contest.

CLARENCE (31)

Brinkerhoff 1 0 2, McKenzie 0 0 0, Cherholt 0 0 0, Turski 3 4 10, Ostrov 2 0 6, Judd 0 0 0, SArnold 1 0 2, Correa 0 0 0, Lorenz 0 0 0, NArnold 3 0 8, Kaufman 1 1 3, Totals 11 5 31.

JAMESTOWN (60)

Farmer 2 0 5, Gonzalez 7 2 22, Johnson 7 1 18, Thagard 0 0 0, Barr 0 0 0, Braun 0 0 0, Salvaggio 1 0 2, Mims 0 0 0, Elardo 0 0 0, Spencer 2 0 5, KarMilne 1 0 2, KamMilne 2 0 6, Totals 22 3 60.

3-point goals — Ostrov 2, NArnold 2, Farmer, Gonzalez 6, Johnson 3, Spencer, KamMilne 2.

Clarence 9 4 5 13 — 31

Jamestown 17 15 17 11 — 60

Jayvees: Jamestown 59, Clarence 57