Hotshot Konek leaves Imani

Joins national power in Md.

Tri-State Sports & News Service

Cali Konek introduced herself to the local basketball scene by producing a season unlike any other in WPIAL history as a freshman at Imani Christian.

Now, she is saying goodbye.

After averaging 45.4 points per game and scoring 1,045 points her ninthgrade season, Konek has transferred to Riverdale Baptist, a perennial power in Upper Marlboro, Md. Riverdale Baptist coach Sam Caldwell confirmed Konek’s transfer Monday. Riverdale Baptist went 39-3 and was ranked No. 11 in the country by USA Today a season ago.

Konek, a 5-foot-5 guard, averaged by far the most points ever by a WPIAL player. It was just the 11th time in U.S. high school history that a girl averaged 45 points or more. Konek made national headlines with her high-scoring ways — she scored at least 50 points nine times — and was named Class A first-team all-state. She already has scholarship offers from Duquesne, Georgia Tech and Pepperdine.

Some questioned Konek’s dominance due to the fact she played in the state’s lowest classification and averaged 34 shots a game. Her competition will be considerably tougher this season as Riverdale Baptist plays a challenging national schedule that includes a season-opening game at Duncanville, Texas, the nation’s No. 1ranked team last season. The team also plays games in California and Arizona.

“Cali is going to come and learn how to play the point guard position,” Caldwell said. “We have some pretty solid players coming back. The kid can shoot the ball incredibly well, but there are many more facets to the game than that. Her skill level and IQ are great. She’s going to be a star.”