Bolivar guard Conley Garrison commits to Drury
Nearly six weeks ago Conley Garrison had no idea where he would be playing his college basketball and now the lifelong Bolivar native will spend the next four years trying to beat the team he grew up cheering for.
Garrison announced his commitment to Drury University on Friday evening.
“I have always really respected Drury,” said Garrison. “I am really good friends with Payton Guiot, the son of former SBU coach Jeff Guiot, so I have to admit I was rooting for Drury to lose the Highway 13 Cat Fight when I was younger. But I am thrilled to be able to attend Drury next year.”
Despite becoming one of the most productive guards in Missouri, Bolivar’s point guard couldn’t get any real traction on the recruiting trail. Garrison averaged a smooth 18.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3, but it wasn’t enough to attract the offers he wanted.
And then it just kind of clicked…
- 23 vs. Webb City in Sectionals
- 31 vs. Grandview in the Elite Eight
- 22 vs. Parkway North in the Semifinals
Three straight elimination games, three solid performances on big stages.
Garrison didn’t really notice anything different about his game or change his mindset, but the senior guard played at an elite level that helped push the Liberators to the Final Four.
“I didn’t really do anything different, I just went out and played as hard as I could because I did not want my career to end early,” said Garrison. “It’s crazy how many other things take care of themselves when you play with full effort.”
The biggest game in the stretch was the explosion against Grandview in the Quarterfinals in what would be his last game in Bolivar as a prep. Garrison’s 31 points led the Libs to a 58-52 overtime win, with every point in the third and fourth quarter – including a game-tying 3 to force overtime – coming from Garrison.
That game helped increase the action on the recruiting front. Garrison said the calls and texts increased in volume, including Drury.
The coaching staff invited Garrison for a visit on March 31st and offered him a scholarship that same day. He also was considering an offer from William Jewell and a preferred walk-on spot at Missouri State.
The proximity made the decision a no-brainer for Garrison.
“It means a lot. My house is 30 minutes from the Drury campus, and I have a sister who lives 10 minutes away from Drury. So it’s just going to be nice to be able to be around my family all the time,” said Garrison. “I don’t even have to change churches.
“Drury plays the way I want to play,” said Garrison. “They really GRIND on defense, and you can’t beat being close to your family. Also, me and Julius (Walker) played summer ball together and so it’ll be fun being able to play with him again.”
Garrison wrapped up his experience at Bolivar and the “Polk County Grind” by saying: “It means a lot to me man. I had so much fun with the people I love and we wrung out every drop of the season. It was just awesome to be able to spend as much time as I could with some awesome people.”
His high school coach, Robby Hoegh, has been at Bolivar for 15 years, nine of which have been as a head coach.
He knows exactly the kind of player Garrison has been and he believes Drury is getting someone that will make the program proud.
“Drury is getting a tremendous worker, a great teammate, and a young man who lives his life with a great attitude,” said Hoegh. “Combine that character with his athleticism and basketball skills and I believe the Panthers are going to really enjoy the next four years of watching Conley play.
“Obviously, Coach Hesser and Coach Kimbrough liked what they saw and see him working well within the great program that Drury has. All the Liberators are proud of Conley, and are excited to get to continue to follow his career and see the positive impact he is going to make in the Drury community.”