A family hoops tradition
Michael Conlon gets a double dose of dad during basketball season.
The 16-year-old, Grade 11 student at Denis Morris is coached by his father, Randy Conlon, on the school’s senior boys team.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Michael said. “He was a role model to me growing up playing basketball. He’s always been there for me, taking me to camps and helping make my game better.”
Michael said experiencing playing for his father this week at The Standard Tournament has been a highlight. The Reds were eliminated Tuesday night by Centennial.
“Having him alongside me in high school basketball means a lot, especially in The Standard Tournament,” he said. “He’s taken me to all the final games growing up and watched them so to be part of it, especially with him, means a lot.
“He’s been my basketball role model for me. Sharing this honour playing on the court and having him on the bench has been amazing.”
Randy played in a pair of Standard Tournaments for Sir Winston and Denis Morris.
“I’m doing it (coaching) at the school I graduated from, so it’s very special,” Randy said. “This tournament, even though we’re out now, it means a lot to the city.
“When I was growing up there was a city championship. We don’t have one anymore. There’s the Catholic board, the public board, single A, double A and triple A, so this is a big tournament.”
Randy began coaching Michael on the hardwood in Grade 6. He’s also helped coach him at the club level with the St. Catharines Rebels.
He admitted it’s not always easy to separate dad from coach.
“It’s hard because he’s your son. I coached my daughter (Ally) as well and sometimes my kids suffer a little bit because I err on the side of caution, meaning I’m harder on them.
“Some coaches who are dads maybe favour their kids too much and that puts the spotlight on them. I’m a little harder on him than I should be because he’s my son but he’s turning into a much better player than I ever was, a much better shooter, that’s for sure.”
Michael agreed the lines between dad a coach sometimes blur.
“Sometimes it’s hard to separate them at certain points because you have to realize he is more of your coach, he’s telling you as your coach so you can get better, not as a dad just sitting there on the bench with you.
“It’s kind of hard, but you make the best of it.”
Randy also coached Michael for two seasons of AAA hockey where he was a goaltender.
“After Grade 8, he had to make a choice,” Randy. “His mom (Tina) and I drove him everywhere. It was crazy. I love hockey but I love basketball way more.
“I’m very happy he made this choice but he was never pushed. He’s just loves it.”
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