South Fayette senior leaving his mark
South Fayette head coach David Mislan (center) goes over some strategy with his son, Connor, (right) and Brandon Jakiela.
Connor Mislan (13) drives past Joe Kearney (5) for a basket during section boys' basketball action earlier this season.
Connor Mislan wasn’t born in a gymnasium. The 18-year-old South Fayette High School senior just grew up in one.
Before his father accepted the Lions’ boys’ basketball position in 2016, David Mislan coached his alma mater, Brentwood High School for 11 years. Before that he coached at Gannon University.
“I was born into it,” Connor said when asked how he got started in the sport. “My dad always took me to practices. I really grew up in the gym,” he said with a laugh thinking about his days as a toddler. “I really like it,” he enthused.
Connor also relished the fact that he has surpassed his dad in talent. However, he still has this postseason to help the Lions achieve the feats of his father’s Spartans.
David was a 1,000-point scorer at Brentwood. The guard led the Spartans to the WPIAL and PIAA championship games in 1989.
“His skills are far superior to what mine were,” said Coach Milsan, “but I had such a great team experience that I would give up every point I ever scored and every accolade that I ever received to see Connor enjoy his senior basketball year. So this journey has been so fulfilling for me to be a part of such a fun team and season.”
On Feb. 10, Connor joined his dad in the 1,000-point club as the Lions defeated Bishop Canevin, 55-43.
“For every player going into high school, 1,000 points is a goal but it makes me feel good,” Connor said knowing that his father also accomplished the feat. “When I was a kid and I would go to the gym, at Brentwood they have all these banners on the walls and one of them is for 1,000-point scorers. I would look up at it and think, ‘wow, that’s my dad.’ In a way,” he added he wanted to emulate his father.
While he feels his playing style “coincides” with his father’s, he admitted when asked who was the best player in the family, Connor said, “you’re talking to him.”
While his high double-digit scoring average from the past two seasons when he gained all-section acclaim has been reduced this winter, Connor has only been averaging nine shot attempts per game. However, he’s converting 43 percent of his shots from the 3-point line and getting to the foul line more in 2020. He leads the Lions in assists and steals instead of points.
“Seeing how Connor has reached 1,000 is really special. He has sacrificed points and shot attempts this year for the good of the team,” said Coach Mislan. “It’s been more fun for him and me. He’s never had more fun playing.”
This season, the team added more offensive punch with sophomore Brandon. Jakiela (16.4 ppg.) and junior Kade St. Ledger taking the burden off Connor.
“This season has been a lot of fun. We’ve been winning games,” Connor said.
“I have great teammates that have allowed me to score. They played a big part in me being able to get 1,000 points.”
With such teammates, Connor said it was easy to transition to a role more of a playmaker this season. As a captain, he’s willing to lead.
“Whatever the team needs, I will do for them. I could be the set-up guy or shoot the open 3 when I have it but we have a couple of new guys who can do our scoring. My shooting is a big help to the team but I play real hard on the court. I want to show others how hard they should be playing and I think we are one of the hardest-working teams in the WPIAL.”
Connor worked hard during the off-season to prepare for his senior year. In addition to adhering to his routine of push-ups, sit-ups, sharping his skills and getting into the gym as much as possible, Connor spent the summer as a taxi for the younger players to get them to summer games and workouts because he knew if the Lions were going to be successful this winter they had to embrace the younger players.
Connor also joined the cross country team. While he said he has always enjoyed running, his time on the squad benefited South Fayette. The Lions finished runner-up in the WPIAL and placed in the Top 7 at states.
Connor explained his cross country experiment simply as a way to “prepare for the basketball season and “get his body in shape for the late-game stuff” but Coach Mislan saw it more than just that.
“Connor put a lot of hard work into his game. He’s our shooter when we need a 3. He’s our ball-handler when we get pressured. But, this year, he has become a great leader for a young team. He has made their transition painless. Then there’s his decision to run cross country to get into the best shape possible for the season,” Coach Mislan added. “I could not be prouder of his unselfishness and leadership.”
Being a leader, Connor said was more important to him than any of the 1,000 points he has scored in his career. He recalled what an impression meeting the players from South Fayette’s 2010 state championship made upon him. That team was recently recognized prior to a Lions’ game this season.
“I think it was real cool to see all those old players and knowing what they did back then,” he said.
“We have a lot of good young guys on this year’s team so I want to set an example for them. Moving forward maybe it will help for the future and I want to be part of the legacy.”
While his legacy will be etched on a plaque placed in the hallway entrance to the gymnasium, Connor would rather be known as a member of a state championship club rather than a 1,000-point scorer at South Fayette.
According to Coach Mislan, Connor was unaware of his close he was or how many points he needed to reach the milestone.
“That’s not normal in the world we live in,” he said. “Connor is about as low maintenance as a kid can be. He loves his friends and he loves South Fayette. He’s not decided on a college because he wants to extend his season for a long as possible before he focuses on visiting schools. He sense of urgency regarding that goal matches mine.”
Connor agreed.
“The goal is to win tomorrow. Win the next game. The next one after that,” he said. “We want to win a championship.”
In April, then, Connor will show off his individual talents. He has been invited and has committed to play in the Pittsburgh Roundball Classic.
Connor is most pleased with being able to play for his father.
“It’s been good. My dads a really good coach. At home, we watch highlights from games. Just being and practice and going home with him everyday has made us closer. I couldn’t have asked for more.”