Hard work paying
off for Jason Burkes

By JOHN D’ABRUZZO
jd’abruzzo@ncnewsonline.com

Letting it fly is becoming a trait of Jason Burkes.

A junior guard with the Union High boys basketball team, Burkes is not only becoming accustomed to sailing up long-distance shots but his points from the perimeter have also been key during the Scotties’ recent victories.

Union (9-3 section, 14-6 overall) took a share of a WPIAL Section 1-A title last week with a pivotal matchup against Lincoln Park. Burkes helped the Scotties secure a 71-69 win over the Leopards with a 17-point effort.

“It’s a tough team to beat,” Burkes said. “I’m happy to have a share of the section. We’d like to have it all to ourselves. It’s not the best but it’s good enough.”

He followed with 26-point performance during Union’s 63-59 regular-season nonsection finale against Freedom.

For his performance, Burkes is Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, as selected by The New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

“Jason’s a hard worker,” Scotties coach Dave Smialowski said. “As of late, he’s been shooting unbelievable. He brings us a great offensive presence. He has an offensive mentality, there’s no question.

“Offensively, he brings so much for us. I couldn’t be more happy with the way Jason has been playing right now.”

One of the top scorers in the county this season, Burkes is averaging 15.1 points (303 total) through 20 games. He has rung up 37 3-pointers.

“Shots have just been falling,” said Burkes, who averaged 21 points in his last seven games. “Guys have been finding me open and I’ve been knocking them down. I try to catch the ball on the wing and let it go.”

“That’s the mark of a good team,” Smialowski added. “I tell the kids when someone gets hot get them the ball. The kids have been doing it and we’re feeding off these guys.”

Burkes, however, hasn’t been hot all season long.

“Early on I think Jason was trying to figure out what I wanted from him,” Smialowski said. “I think Jason had to get in tuned with me with what I wanted from him and once he realized that that’s when he got into his groove and got comfortable.

“He was settling a lot for perimeter shots and I was trying to get him to attack the basket. He’s been doing a great job with that 10- to 15-foot range.”

Burkes admits there was a bit of an adjustment period after playing for former coach Mark Stanley last year.

“Coach Stanley is more of a set it up and run the offense guy as coach Simo likes the up-and-down game and likes to push the ball,” said Burkes, who averaged 8.6 points last season as a reserve. “He likes to pull it out sometimes and he lets me take the shot.”

Smialowski was pleased to see his star guard able to make such a transition.

“No one works harder than Jason,” Smialowski said. “In the offseason he puts in a lot of time on his own. He never misses anything and he’s matured offensively. He’s maturing as a player and he’s only a junior.”

Burkes will be a big factor as the Scotties face Mapletown (13-10) in the first round the Class A playoffs. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday at Keystone Oaks High School.

Burkes believes Union is well prepared to face the Maples. He also knows what motivates the team.

“Probably our intensity,” Burkes said. “We come into any game fired up and ready to go. We’re ready now and I think we have a good shot.”