MEDICINE HAT, AB — Kieron Burgess is a man among boys.
The Medicine Hat College Rattlers guard has singlehandedly trounced his opponents in all areas of the court, averaging 24 points and 18 rebounds per game.
Burgess’ complete-court presence culminated last weekend, breaking the ACAC single-game records for most rebounds (31) and defensive rebounds (24).
“I had no idea, truthfully,” said the general studies student on how it felt to ink his name in the record books. “I just went out and played hard. At the end of the game, they said I had the record. It was a great feeling, to be honest.”
It came in the Rattlers 47-point bludgeoning over the second-place Ambrose University Lions. Burgess’s strong play around his own rim was partnered with a game-high 41-points, which included 17 made free throws and a 12-for-18 clip on field goals.
His daunting display caused a ripple on a national scale. Shortly after being named the ACAC’s top athlete for the past week, he took the same award out of the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.
Having rejoined the Rattlers at the beginning of second-semester following a year-long absence, Burgess says he’s simply focussing on enjoying the game.
“I’m playing against myself, really. Trying to better myself,” said the 24-year-old. “I just go out there, play the game I love, try to have fun, and win.”
The Rattlers head to Calgary for a pair of games against the last-place Briercrest University Clippers this weekend, giving Burgess as good a chance as any to one-up his record-setting outing.
However, he’s not concerning himself with personal stats. Rather, he’s preaching a by-committee approach to the rest of the team as the push towards the post-season heats up.
“We need to get on the same page mentally,” he continued. “We need to be a group and not (play) individual. The team wins basketball games, not just individuals.”
