There’s a moment in every basketball game when the noise fades, the crowd holds its breath, and it’s just two players — one with the ball, the other trying to stop them. It’s the purest form of competition, a test of skill, will, and pride. Unrivaled takes that split-second showdown and stretches it into an entire tournament. No help defense. No screens. No hiding.
In a sport built on teamwork and strategy, Unrivaled dares to ask the simplest question: Are you better than me? It’s raw, personal, and brutally honest. This week, the Vinyl vs Phantom game tipped off, pulling some of the game’s fiercest competitors into a spotlight where there’s nowhere to run — just you, your game, and the player standing in your way.
And Rhyne Howard, the 2022 WNBA first-overall draft pick, All-Star, and Vinyl BC standout in Unrivaled, answered the challenge in the best way she knew how: with a record-breaking performance that left no doubt about her greatness.
A Shooting Clinic on International Women’s Day
Howard has always played the game at her own pace, but on this night, she was untouchable. The 6’2” star put on an offensive masterpiece, dropping 37 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, single-handedly keeping Vinyl in the game. She was efficient, lethal, and completely in control, shooting 12-for-24 from the field and a scorching 9-for-17 from three.
Those nine-made threes weren’t just impressive — they were historic. Howard set the record for most three-pointers in a single Unrivaled game, making it only fitting that she did it on International Women’s Day. In a league designed to showcase individual brilliance, she delivered one of the most dominant shooting performances we’ve seen.
Last week, after Vinyl BC’s narrow 64-63 win over Laces BC, Howard emphasized the importance of team chemistry and adaptability in a sideline interview. “Doing what’s working for us, continuing to expose what they’re not as good at, and using that to help us get the wins,” she said.
Her words serve as a reminder that even the greatest individual performances are built on a foundation of teamwork, awareness, and the ability to adapt, qualities that separate good players from truly great ones.
Carrying the Load
Despite Howard’s heroics, Vinyl BC fell short, dropping to 5-8 on the season and into a tie with Mist BC for the final playoff spot. No other player on Team Vinyl cracked double figures, and with the supporting cast struggling, the burden fell squarely on Howard’s shoulders.
And she delivered — over and over again. Whenever Vinyl needed a bucket, Howard stepped up. She hit tough step-backs, drilled deep pull-ups, and made defenders pay for even the slightest bit of space. It wasn’t just a hot streak — it was a display of pure offensive mastery.
“We really believe that we're capable of achieving everything we can. So, staying positive, staying together, and continuing to work and fight.”
When asked what’s next for Vinyl BC in the playoffs, Howard reiterated what she’s been saying to her team in the locker room. "You just continue to fight, continue to have each other's backs. We know that it's been a rough go for us, but we're very capable of producing and making it to the playoffs.”
“We're in a good spot right now, so keeping the energy that we have and continuing to use it going into the next and upcoming games,” she adds. “I think it'll be good for us. You know, we're not frazzled in any way. We really believe that we're capable of achieving everything we can. So, staying positive, staying together, and continuing to work and fight."
While her on-court performance speaks for itself, Howard also takes on the responsibility of keeping the team focused, motivated, and believing in their playoff chances. She reminds us that leadership is not about having a title. It’s about stepping up when it matters most and carrying the load when others can’t.
A Star Without Limits
Unrivaled was built for moments like this—for the best players in the world to step into the spotlight, go head-to-head, and prove that they belong. But Howard didn’t just belong: she owned the night.
Howard is often asked how she takes her game to the next level and when she knows it’s the right time to do so. She emphasizes that impact isn’t just about scoring, saying, “Honestly, it's always the right time. I just have to learn to keep settling in and realize that shots are going to fall while still doing things off the ball to keep my team in the game and keep myself in the game. Continuing to build that confidence in everybody is what really helps us get wins.”
This is important to understand because, in life or sport, greatness isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment — it’s about creating it. Howard’s mindset reflects what separates good players from elite ones: the ability to stay locked in and elevate those around her.
Vinyl may have lost, but Howard’s performance will be remembered long after the final buzzer. In a format designed to expose weaknesses, she showed none. In a tournament that demands greatness, she delivered. And if this game was any indication, she’s far from finished.
