For the Van-Far boys, it was their second Eastern Missouri Conference win on Friday in Silex. But for junior Nikos Connaway, it was a more special night.

Connaway scored his 1,000 career point in his 59th career game in the 75-45 win while leading the Indians with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Van-Far (2-1 EMO) came away with 10 steals and had two more double-digit scorers in Gage Gibson, 15 points and three 3-pointers, and Brayden Lay, 10 points and two steals.

Head coach Pat Connaway said it is a great accomplishment for his son considering it happened seven games into his junior season. For that reason and based on Nikos’ skill level, Connaway sees more milestones being reached in the future.

“If continues playing like he is, stays healthy, and averages his 19-20 like he did last year, he’s going to reach 2,000,” Connaway said. “That’s what I told him, ‘1,000’s great, but you know after last night, we’re 989 or whatever away from 2,000. So let’s just keep playing.’”

Connaway said Nikos was aware of the feat being so close as he thought he was putting more pressure on himself against North Callaway and Silex (2-7, 0-3 EMO). His son had a chance to isolate himself on the court after being rewarded four free throws following a technical foul before going right back into the fold to create opportunities for others.

“He hit all four throws to make the even 1,000,” Connaway said. “Then the next possession after I called timeout, he drove and found his best friend and buddy Gage over in the corner and Gage buried a 3. They’ve been best friends since kindergarten, so it was fitting to share that moment with him and having a seven-point possession was awesome for us.”

Lady Indians look for other options after 51-31 loss at Silex

One day after signing to play in college for Columbia College next season, Van-Far senior Mara Jensen posted another big performance.

Jensen led the Lady Indians on Thursday at Eastern Missouri Conference foe Silex with 21 points, nine rebounds and four steals, but Van-Far lost 51-31.
McKenna Engh-Hoffman followed with six points and eight rebounds, and Madelynn Caldwell had four points.

The Lady Indians were in a 20-4 hole after the first quarter and didn’t have enough scoring to climb back into the game.

Head coach Heather Minter said the team has been working on getting more girls involved in the scoring, which she said the Lady Indians did a better job off with their Saturday 35-26 victory against Paris in the Gary Filbert Classic in Mexico.