Randi Conway only scored three points in a tournament-opening win over Unatego last week. The next in the Kazalski Tournament finals, Conway stepped up her offense in the second half – especially the fourth quarter – scoring 12 of her 14 points in the second half leading her club to the championship over Marathon.
Conway added eight assists in the championship win, all more impressive since she played the entire tournament with a cracked bone in her elbow.
“(The decision) for Randi to play in the tournament was between her and her parents, and if she felt she couldn’t play, she wouldn’t,” said B-G coach Bob Conway, who is also Randi’s uncle. “She rested and iced it the day for the tournament, and the day of the first game, she wanted to give it a try.”
Randi Conway was a bit more reticent taking the ball inside against Unatego; instead, she directed the offense from the outside and staying out on the perimeter. “Even though she was playing injured, she still really controlled the game from the point,” Bob Conway said.
Buoyed with more confidence, Conway was more aggressive against Marathon, and her contributions in the tournament earned her the Most Valuable Player Award. Conway’s gutty performance has earned her our honor this week as Smith Ford, Giant’s Warehouse/Evening Sun Athlete of the Week.
As a sophomore last year, Conway averaged just over 11 points per game in helping B-G to a 12-7 record. It was a respectable year for just about any team – or player – yet coach Conway knew his niece could perform better. “Last year she tended to play with a bit of an attitude,” Conway said of his niece. He also said there were times when the two would clash. “This year, she’s just enjoying the game. There is no negativity at all and she’s staying upbeat all of the time. I’m really pleased with her demeanor, and she’s willing to run the offense, penetrate, and find opportunities for her teammates.”
Conway’s first two seasons on the varsity, she was averse to the physical play. As the most important ballhandler on the floor, she wasn’t as willing to take the ball inside. Now, Coach Conway said, she doesn’t hesitate to go inside and take the pounding that often results from aggressive dribble penetration.
“She’s really grown physically and mentally,” the B-G coach said. “This year is another step in her maturation of playing the game, and next year she will really blossom.”
As the sister B-G hoops players Dani and Nikki Conway, Randi is the last of coach Conway’s nieces to play for him. She is quickly creating a name for herself, and coach Conway feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach all of his nieces. “It’s really been a treat to coach all three of them, and I’ve gotten to know them a lot better by coaching them,” the coach said. “It’s a nice situation as an uncle with nieces in the sport. Hopefully I have taught them more than just the game of basketball.”