By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Determination and hard work paid off for one Crawford County teenager as she will be traveling to Chicago to compete in the annual Nike Tournament of Champions.
Colonel Crawford Junior Alexus Burkhart was one of ten girls selected from 100 that tried out for the tournament at the Eastern Ohio Basketball Camp in Sherrodsville, Ohio. Burkhart explained how she feels being able to compete in the national tournament.
“I feel pretty honored,” Burkhart said. “I was excited when the coach brought the paperwork. I was not expecting it at all. I just was having fun during the tryout.”
Burkhart tried out in front of the other coaches from the 40 varsity schools that attended the camp. During the tryout, Burkhart had to play twice in front of the coaches. Afterward her coach, Kyle Fenner, spoke with the other coaches about Burkhart’s high school accomplishments.
The coach’s words, mixed with Burkhart’s performance, paid off as she was then selected to play in the tournament. Fenner explained that her student was at a loss for words when she was given the news that she made the team.
“She was speechless when I brought her the paperwork,” Fenner said.
Fenner added that this is a great opportunity for Burkhart.
“It is a great honor for her,” Fenner explained. “It is a great situation to play with and against some great players. She really worked hard to get it.”
Burkhart made the First Team All-N10 in the 2015-2016 season averaging 17 points and 3.1 steals per game for the Lady Eagles.
For more information on the Chicago Nike Tournament of Champions, visit http://www.niketournamentofchampions.com/events/detail.cfm?id=69.