For Paxton Giertz, basketball at Seneca High School is more than just a sport—it’s a legacy. A standout point guard, he has etched his name into school history by shattering multiple records, proving that hard work, dedication, and a love for the game can lead to something unforgettable.

His most recent milestone came in a game against Beecher, where he broke the school record for most three-pointers in a single game. The previous record of eight was set by his former teammate, Zach Pfeifer, during Paxton’s freshman year. But that night, Paxton couldn’t miss.

“Honestly, in warmups, I wasn’t feeling great,” he admits. “But once the game started, the shots just kept falling.”

By the end of the night, he had sunk 10 three-pointers, setting a new standard for sharpshooting at Seneca High School.

It wasn’t the first time he had rewritten the school record books. He also holds the single-game assist record, the single-season assist record, and the career assist record. Earlier this year, he broke the all-time scoring record, and he expects to add the career three-pointers record to his list of accomplishments before the season ends.

Despite his personal success, Paxton is quick to credit his teammates for making every one of these moments possible.

“They’re amazing,” he says. “I’ve been playing with some of these guys since my freshman year. We’ve grown together, and they always know where to find me when I’m open. It’s a team effort, always.”

Seneca High School has long been known as a basketball school, a reputation that means a great deal to Paxton. The town rallies behind its team, and the support from the community has been something he’s cherished throughout his career. “Our gym is special,” he says. “There’s just something about playing here. The tradition, the fans, the history—it all makes it that much more meaningful.”

The ultimate goal for Paxton and his teammates this year was to make a deep playoff run, something that has eluded them in recent years.

“We haven’t made it past the regional championship during my time here,” he says. Closing out the season with a 26-7 record, the team certainly has much to be proud of, even if the elusive Regional Championship and a deep playoff run, once again, played hard-to-get.

Wins, losses, and records aside, Paxton Giertz is a man on a mission, and his future brightly awaits.

“We’ve played some tough teams and come out with big wins,” he says. “Now we just have to put it all together when it matters most.”

His talent on the court hasn’t gone unnoticed. Paxton will continue his basketball career at Hillsdale College in Michigan, a school he hadn’t considered until they reached out to him directly.

“I was just eating lunch one day at school when one of their assistant coaches texted me,” he recalls. “We kept in touch, and over time, I realized how great of a fit it was. Their facilities are incredible, the coaches are amazing, and it just felt like the right place for me.”

At Hillsdale, he plans to major in sports management, with the possibility of adding an education component. He also has his eye on coaching someday—a passion that runs in his family.

Paxton’s father, a longtime educator and coach, has been the assistant coach for Seneca’s basketball team, sitting on the bench alongside Head Coach Witte. His uncle, Mark Aubry, has his jersey retired at Seneca High School, and his cousin, Cindy Kaufmann, holds the record for most points scored in a career, earning the title of Ms. Basketball of Illinois during her time in high school.

“There’s a ton of family history here,” Paxton says. “It means a lot to be part of it.”

Though he spent part of his early years in Southern Illinois, moving back to Seneca felt like returning home. His father, who grew up near Effingham, took a job at Milton Pope Junior High, and when Paxton reached eighth grade, his dad transitioned to Seneca High School—just in time to coach his son through his high school years.

“I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” Paxton says. “Having family with me on this journey has been incredible.”

When asked what "The Seneca Way" means to him, he doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s about how we do things differently,” he says. “We win as a team, we lose as a team, and there’s always respect for each other. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.”

For Paxton Giertz, that’s what matters most. The records, the wins, and the personal achievements are all special. But being part of Seneca basketball’s legacy—and the greater school community—is what he’ll carry with him long after the final buzzer sounds.