VAN BUREN — Somehow it seemed appropriate that when Van Buren senior Parise Rossignol scored her 2,000th career point Tuesday night at Limestone, it was a baseline jumper.

The jump shot is what makes her different from many girls playing high school basketball, according to her coach, who also happens to be her father.

“She has put a lot of time into her game. I’m proud of her,” said Matt Rossignol. “She has worked on the jump shot, and most importantly she has worked on shooting it off the dribble. That separates the Blodgetts and Allie Clements from others, being able to dribble, elevate and shoot.”

Matt Rossignol ought to know. On an Aroostook County night 29 years ago, he took a jump shot off a dribble and scored his 2,000th point. He finished his Van Buren High days with 2,257 points, all before the 3-point shot. Rossignol added 1,300 points for the University of Maine.

Five games into her senior year, Rossignol’s total stands at 2,062.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” she said of being the first father-daughter tandem in the 2,000-point club. “It’s a little surreal. I always had it as a goal but never really thought I would (reach 2,000). It feels awesome.”

Van Buren administrators said they count her points from regular-season and tournament games, plus seven preseason tournament games.

Former Lawrence High standout Cindy Blodgett is tops on the state list with 2,596 points.

Rossignol is quite skilled on the soccer field (29 goals this fall), and enjoys the camaraderie and spirit of playing on the tennis team (Eastern Class C champs last spring), but it’s basketball that makes her competitive juices flow.

“I just love the atmosphere around a basketball game. It has always been my favorite.”

Matt Rossignol said he doesn’t push any of his kids to play basketball. He tells them to play for the enjoyment, and if they really ‘want to make an investment in basketball’ he will help them.

Parise bought in early.

“He has always rebounded for me, as long as I can remember,” said Parise, “giving me tips like ‘put the right amount of arc’ and ‘always have good form.’ ”

And the No. 1 tip dad has offered over the years?

“He told me there would be a lot of negativity from other teams’ fans at times and you just can’t take it to heart. You need to keep your head and know it’s just part of competition, part of the game.”

BOYS’ BASKETBALL: When Hampden Academy beat Lawrence in its home opener Thursday, it marked 30 straight home wins in two gymnasiums. The last 10 have come in the new Hampden Academy building that opened a year ago.

INDOOR TRACK: Officials canceled the first meet of the Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League season Jan. 4 because the renovation project on the UMaine field house isn’t done.

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