The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Wildcats’ Burroughs blocks best in GWOC

Junior post, armed with 75-inch wingspan, swats 4.5 shots per game.

Christian Jones (2) of Hamilton competes for a rebound with Darryl Perry (50) and Sean Burroughs (14) of Springfield during their game in Springfield on Dec. 3. Springfield won the game 48-36. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Christian Jones (2) of Hamilton competes for a rebound with Darryl Perry (50) and Sean Burroughs (14) of Springfield during their game in Springfield on Dec. 3. Springfield won the game 48-36. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

ENLARGE PHOTO

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Raiders fall in tourney opener
5/25/12
Rough 1st inning sets up Tipp exit
5/25/12
Local Scoreboard for May 25
5/24/12
Ohio State AD says 12 violations minor
5/24/12
> More sports headlines

By Michael Cooper, Staff Writer 11:12 PM Thursday, January 19, 2012

SPRINGFIELD — The Fairborn High School scouting report for its basketball game against Springfield said Sean Burroughs was leading the Greater Western Ohio Conference in blocked shots.

That didn’t stop one of the Skyhawks’ players from asking Burroughs to stay away from him in the paint.

“Before the game, he asked me nicely not to block his shot,” Burroughs said, “And I still got one.”

Burroughs, a 6-foot-6 junior post, is averaging 4.5 blocks per game, the most in the 18-team GWOC this season.

Burroughs didn’t just block one shot against Fairborn. He got six, which was still one shy of his season-high of seven — which he’s done twice.

He said he’s been able to block shots since middle school. In high school, he’s using his 75-inch wingspan and anticipation skills to keep opponents away from the basket.

“I’ve always had good timing,” Burroughs said. “I’m able to anticipate the play. But honestly, our strong guard play forces a tough shot and I can just clean it up.”

He said he thrives on the crowd’s reaction after he sends an opponent’s shot into the stands.

“It’s what drives me,” Burroughs said.

Springfield coach Isiah Carson called Burroughs “a ballhawk.”

“He’s a long kid and uses his length well on the defensive end,” Carson said. “He really has a nose for the ball. I haven’t seen a shot blocker of his caliber at the high school level since (South grad) Elgrace Wilborn.”

With blocks, however, come fouls. He said he’s been working hard to cut down on his fouls, but knows going after blocked shots brings risks.

“There’s a lot of great guards in the league, so it’s kind of a 50-50 thing,” Burroughs said. “Some of them get the fouls, and some of them don’t.”

Burroughs is also averaging 6.5 rebounds per game. When he does shoot, he’s hitting at a high percentage (54.2) from the field.

He’s teamed with 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior Darryl Perry to form one of the most formidable frontcourt duos in the GWOC. Perry is averaging 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds and, for good measure, 1.2 blocks per game.

“Big D gets some blocks, too,” Burroughs said. “It’s a huge topic of conversation between us.”

Burroughs said his goal is to average 5.0 blocks per game this season. He’s also hoping the Wildcats (4-6, 2-3) can make a run in the second half of the season. They’ve lost five in a row, including the last three games by a total of eight points. They host Fairmont tonight.

“We want to be the best team around,” Burroughs said. “We’ll rededicate to that and get back to it.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365, Michael.Cooper@coxinc.com or on Twitter @SNS_Wizard.

Share this article