How this superlative duo has cultivated an enduring bond through basketball at Calvary
Connor Brown and Luke Blackford instantly meshed at Calvary Academy.
They met as early as grade school and their countless hours together in the classroom, hallways and basketball floor have yielded an inseparable bond.
They embody what Tives Gardner loves about being a boys basketball coach at Calvary. Even though Brown may be a couple of years ahead of Blackford, they champion a strong rapport that emanates throughout the program.
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“Me and Luke have been playing together since he was in fourth grade and I was in sixth grade, and we’ve been clicking since then,” Brown said. It’s easy to play with a guy like Luke because you know you can rely on him.
“He can shoot, he can get buckets inside, he rebounds, he plays defense – it just makes your job that much easier. Playing with a guy like Luke, it makes all of our jobs easier because any day he can come out here and drop 30 (points). He’s different, he’s not like others.”
This galvanizing duo also mirrors each other in their ability to score at will and contribute in all phases of the game.
On Tuesday, the sophomore Blackford totaled 42 points in an 89-57 nonconference win over Mount Pulaski. Brown, a senior, also poured in 22 points to combine for 64 points as a tandem.
Blackford also carried the Saints with a game-high 34 points in a 67-53 MSM Conference victory over Nokomis on Friday. He additionally boasted seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
“There’s never a time we’re not around each other,” Brown said of Blackford. “That’s why we’re so close on the court: we’re so comfortable with each other.”
According to Maxpreps through 26 games, Blackford led the team with 21.6 points per game while Brown had 18.6 ppg. After Brown achieved 1,000 career points in December, Blackford summited the mark on Feb. 1 against Springfield High.
“I wouldn’t score nearly as much as I have without my team,” Blackford said when asked about Brown. “He’s playing so well. If you look at that stat sheet, he can fill out the whole entire thing.”
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Brown’s numbers support that sentiment. He averaged team-bests in rebounding (8.2), assists (4.3) and steals (3.7) through 26 games this season.
Last winter, he was named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state second team in 1A with 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game to help lift the Saints to their first regional title since 2011.
Neither cares what their final tally is as long as they pick up the win.
“We’re just competitive,” Blackford said. “Each player has accepted the role that we do whatever it takes for us to win and if it takes me only scoring 10 points and Connor 30-something, that’s what it takes. No one will be mad as long as we get the win.”
This season, Brown said he has assumed more of a point guard role after Amari Anderson transferred to Lanphier. Both also take pride on defense. They combined for 10 steals – including seven by Brown – in the win over Nokomis that pushed the team closer to its second outright conference title in the last three years.
Calvary (19-8, 7-0 MSM) stands alone in first place with just Raymond Lincolnwood (Feb. 9) and Pawnee (Feb. 16) remaining on the MSM schedule.
Brown and Blackford’s connection is emblematic of the entire team, Gardner said. All but one player claims roots at Calvary prior to high school.
“It’s great because they all know each other and they’re like family,” Gardner said. “It’s easy to work with when you know somebody. It’s easy to trust.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Connor Brown, Luke Blackford savor final season together at Calvary
