The Record-Breaking Shot: Littlejohn Makes History

The ball arced through the air, a majestic shot that put Littlejohn ahead. With that basket, Alex Littlejohn, the senior from Newton, KS, etched his name in Coyote history, surpassing Gary Cassel’s 70-year record of 1,544 career points. For 70 years, the number 1,544 had been the benchmark for Kansas Wesleyan basketball. Now, a new name sits atop the scoring charts: Alex Littlejohn.

KWU senior has been a significant part of this program throughout his four years in Salina. The six-foot-six forward, originally from Newton, Kansas, attended Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, where he was a star, helping his team win a state championship in 2018 and two league championships in 2020 and 2021. Littlejohn also earned numerous player of the game and player of the year awards throughout his high school career, so adjusting to the speed of collegiate basketball wasn’t too difficult. Throughout his career at Kansas Wesleyan, Littlejohn has won numerous awards, such as third-team All-American and first-team All-KCAC in 2023. He has also been named KCAC Player of the Week multiple times. With all of those achievements throughout his playing career, the scoring record holds a special place in his heart. Gary Cassel, who previously held the record for 70 years, also still holds the record for career free throws made. Littlejohn broke Cassel’s record for career points in the first half of the game against Avila on January 11th. Although the Coyotes lost, it was still a special night for them; a record that stood for 70 years was broken.

When talking to Littlejohn, he was very humble about breaking the record and mentioned how he was happy to see that all the work he has put in had paid off. While breaking the record was a cool experience for Littlejohn, he seemed more focused on the rest of the season and leading his team to a strong finish. We asked Littlejohn if there were any games we should attend, and he said, “We have Bethany at home on Wednesday and Saturday against Friends, who is number two in the KCAC.”

After my interview with Alex, I asked him what his plan was after this semester, and he said, “I’m going to try to see if I can continue playing somewhere, but if not, I am planning on going back home and becoming a firefighter.”

Alex Littlejohn’s name will forever be etched in Kansas Wesleyan basketball history. His dedication and hard work have earned him a place among the greats of Kansas Wesleyan and will forever inspire future generations of Coyotes