Records are made to be broken. Achievements exist to be surpassed.

And for three Ironmen seniors, this season has been all about leaving their mark in the history books.

Kenna Malinowski, Kobe Walker and Connor Smith have etched their names into Community’s basketball legacy—shattering records, setting new benchmarks and proving that milestones aren’t just meant to be reached, but redefined.

Malinowski breaks Rawlings’ three-point record

Giana Rawlings’ single-season three-point record, set in 2022 when Rawlings sank 85 threes as a sophomore, didn’t stand for long. With 91 triples in a season, Kenna Malinowski now holds the girls basketball program record. 

Malinowski matched Rawlings’ mark of 85 threes in the Ironmen’s playoff opener against United Township. In Community’s second-round regional matchup against Rock Island, the senior drained three triples, before adding another three in the team’s sectional semifinals loss to Pekin.

And while that defeat ended the season, Malinowski ended her career as program’s most prolific single-season perimeter shooter.

The senior guard finished the 2024-25 campaign as the Iron’s most dangerous shooter—averaging 2.7 threes per game and converting from outside at a 32.7% clip while leading the team in 2-point field goal percentage (56.3%) and points per game (11).

Walker’s historic season on the glass

A record that stood for over half a century is no more.

Senior Kobe Walker shattered Community’s single-season rebounding record, pulling down his 346th board of the season—surpassing Harold Nord’s 1972 mark of 345.

Walker’s dominance in the paint has been a driving force for the Ironmen all season, as the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 12 rebounds per game.

Walker’s name is now attached to two of the program’s top rebounding achievements. Earlier this season, he set a new single-game record with 24 boards against Richwoods.

But he’s more than just a rebounder—Walker leads the Ironmen in scoring as well, averaging 18.8 points per game.

Walker is now sixth all-time in single-season scoring with 601 point—and climbing.

Impressively, this is Walker’s first season as a starter, proving that his breakout campaign is about more than just numbers—it’s about making the most of an opportunity.

Smith joins the 1,000-point club

Senior guard Conner Smith is the newest member of an elite club.

Smith reached the 1,000-point milestone in the Ironmen’s playoff opener against Normal West.

The milestone is a testament to Smith’s scoring ability, no matter where he plays. Smith transferred to Community after his sophomore year, scoring 698 points at Rantoul before adding 302 (and counting) in an Ironmen uniform.

A volume shooter from beyond the arc, Smith has attempted more threes than twos in his Ironmen career, connecting on 57 of 188 shots from deep (30.3%). But he’s also been efficient inside the arc, shooting 36.8% on two-point attempts.

With his name now in the school’s record books, Smith has proven one thing: no matter the court, no matter the competition, he finds a way to score.

Just 18 players in program history have scored 1000 points or more all in an Ironmen jersey, six under head coach Mr. Dave Witzig. Smith and 2024 graduate Niko Newsome, a Bloomington High School grad, hit the milestone after transfering to Community.