By TWT Sports Desk|Published Feb 20, 2026

Waterbury-Let’s be real — people don’t always understand how hard it is to score 1,000 points in middle school basketball.

You’re talking about a season that’s only 12 games long, maybe 15 if you make a deep playoff run. There are no 30-game schedules. No long AAU circuits to stack numbers. Every bucket matters. Every game counts.

That’s what makes what Lil Duke is doing right now not just impressive — but special.

A Historic Playoff Debut

In his first playoff game, Lil Duke didn’t just show up — he took over.

63 points.

Yes, you read that right.

63 points in a playoff game. At the middle school level.

That’s not just a hot night. That’s a statement. That’s dominance. That’s a young player announcing that he’s built different.

The 1,000-Point Chase

To even be in the conversation for 1,000 career points in middle school, you have to average at an elite level every single night. There’s no room for off games, no room for slow starts, and no room for inconsistency.

Lil Duke isn’t just keeping pace — he’s accelerating the standard.

When you’re putting up 60+ in playoff competition, you’re not chasing history…

You’re creating it.

“One of Them Ones”

Every few years, a player comes through who just looks different. The skill. The confidence. The production. The moment never looks too big.

Lil Duke is showing all the signs of being “one of them ones.”

And if this is how he performs on the playoff stage now, imagine what the next level looks like.

The Bigger Picture

Moments like this matter for more than just one player. They energize a school. They inspire younger kids. They remind the community that greatness can grow right here, in our own gyms.

And for Lil Duke — this is just the beginning.

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Congrats to Lil Duke on an unforgettable performance and a playoff debut that people will be talking about for a long time.

63 points. Middle school. Playoffs.

That’s not normal.

That’s special.

Waterbury High School Sports News