Van-Far boys garner unanimous all-conference selections, three total; father, son district coach, player of year

The most wins in four years earned the Van-Far boys several all-conference selections.

Senior Nikos Connaway and sophomore Pacey Reading each made the Eastern Missouri Conference first team unanimously while senior Carter Jennings made the second team. Connaway and Reading were also named to the Class 2 District 5 team, with Connaway being the district player of the year, and head coach Pat Connaway was named the district coach of the year.

“Nikos and Pacey were very deserving of first team and being unanimous selections,” Pat Connaway said. “Pacey had a breakout year and his scoring option really made us a successful team and coaches recognized him for that. 

Connaway said his son was voted to his fourth all-conference team and made the first team for the third straight year. It isn’t difficult to see why as Nikos Connaway averaged 17 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4.1 steals, turning those categories into his first career quadruple-double near the end of the season after not having a triple-double prior to his game against Wellsville-Middletown.

Reading averaged 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1 steal while being a dangerous option from beyond the arc. In some games this season, Reading had as many as five 3-pointers to add another level to the Indians’ transition offense.

Jennings averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds as the team’s primary post presence.

“Carter was a very deserving selection,” Connaway said. “Coaches noticed his offensive and defensive abilities and recognized him as being a vital part of our 9-1 conference team.”

Wilburn goes out as all-conference player for Van-Far girls

Carmen Wilburn stepped into her leadership role this season for the Van-Far girls.

In a rebuilding season for the Lady Indians, their senior point guard was named to the Eastern Missouri Conference second team and the Class 2 District 5 team.

Head coach Heather Minter said she is happy to have had Wilburn all four years, which was plenty of time to see her commendable qualities. Even though Wilburn was a shooting guard her first two seasons, Minter said she was willing to slot in as the point guard for the rest of her career and did it well.

“Carmen has started since her freshman year for me and played a solid role,” Minter said. “Her senior year, she was expected to lead with this young group we had. I’m proud of what she accomplished this year and her leadership.”

Wilburn averaged 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.