ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Toni Neely-Primus has always been comfortable on the basketball court.

Neely-Primus, a versatile 5-foot, 8-inch sophomore from Monroe, N.Y., teamed up with her twin sister, Taylor, to win three Section IX championships in her four varsity seasons at Monroe-Woodbury High School and is one of the most improved players in the East Coast Conference this season.

Neely-Primus, who is among the ECC's leaders in field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage, is averaging 11.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Roberts Wesleyan College women's basketball team after averaging 3.6 points as a freshman.

Neely-Primus also carries a 3.68 grade-point average in accounting and is Roberts' Female Scholar Athlete of the Month for January.

Neely-Primus took some time to discuss several topics, including her growth as a player this season. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

What was it like growing up as a twin?
"It was fun, I love my sister. It felt like I always had a best friend, especially in school. We would do homework together and study together and just help each other. I was better in math, so I would help her in math and she was better in science, so she would help me in science. It was great because we always got to see each other 24/7 but she was my best friend and it was great to have that person."

What made you and Taylor so good together on the court?
"Just our chemistry and knowing where each other was going to be. I knew that my sister liked to drive and I know how much she likes to cut and when she liked to cut. Knowing each other's tendencies definitely helped to make us a dynamic duo on the court."

How did you handle your high school career ending just before the state semifinals because of COVID?
"I was glad that at least my high school career ended with a win. I wanted to see the positive side of it. … I also used my season ending early as motivation for working hard and doing well when I got to Roberts."

How has your mom, Theresa, who is a retired New York Police Department detective, inspired you?
"By the way she raised us. She always taught us to be hard-working and to be humble. She definitely inspired me to do the same and to raise my kids the same way she has. … I think she wanted us to get every opportunity we could and every opportunity that we wanted to reach our goals."

How are you able to succeed both on the court and in the classroom?
"I was always taught that academics come first and if I didn't have certain grades, according to my mom, that I wouldn't be able to play basketball. Knowing that academics are always important and are my future helped motivate me to do well."

What led you to accounting as a major?
"I enjoy math, so that has helped me, but I also like the idea of being my own boss and owning my own business. I also know that there is a demand for people in accounting and that will help me with my own business."

What have been the keys to your success – both individually and as a team – this season?
"I think it is just our dedication and work ethic. For our team, we are coming together because we have this common goal that we want to win ECCs and get to the NCAA Tournament again. Our season was cut short by Daemen in the Sweet 16 last year and we definitely don't want that to happen again. We got a little taste of it last year and just want to continue and do better as a team.
"Personally, I have many goals. I want to be the best version of me and do whatever my team needs me to do. If they need me to be a four (power forward), I'll play four, if they need me to be a three (small forward), I'll be a three and if they need me to play two (shooting guard), I will play two. Just being wherever I can be and fit in and do my best."

What areas did you focus on during the offseason?
"I worked on my shot. Probably six days out of seven I would go outside and work on my shot and work on my post moves and work on my dribbling. Last year was my first time playing the four position, so I definitely wanted to be stronger at playing that position if I played it this year I definitely worked on my post moves and getting stronger because I knew that I would be going up against some bigger girls and taller girls and I wanted to have some type of edge on them as a smaller forward."

How has the Roberts experience been for you?
"It has been great. Roberts feels like a family. I couldn't ask for anything better. I love my team, they are so supportive and they are literally amazing. The professors are all so nice and they are so flexible in terms of helping students."

When did you fall in love with basketball?
"I would say seventh grade was when I got serious. That's when I started my AAU program and knew that I wanted to play in college."

What about the game took you in?
"When I picked up a ball there were no outside factors, I felt like I was home. That and sharing it with my sister. When I pick up a ball, it's just me playing a game that I love."