and has just always carried on and kept my head strong through it all . I ’ ve always had similar coaching styles , and coaches that want more for me and from me because each coach has seen my potential , and I ’ m lucky for that . I will always remember every coach I ’ ve had because each has had a different impact on my life , and been more than just a coach for things going on outside of sports as well .”
GCT head basketball coach Jason Smith says Burnside is the only athlete boy or girl to be All-State in three team sports at the 5A classification or higher in the last five years , and it could be even longer . “ Wes is a throwback ,” Smith said . “ She is one kid who lives truly where her two feet are . When it ’ s volleyball season , she is 100 % volleyball . When basketball season rolls around , she has ten toes in basketball , and in the spring , she doesn ’ t play AAU or JO , she is locked in on being an outfielder and hitting cleanup in softball . She is wired to help her school and her team win . She is a winner in every way .”
This year , as GCT begins the defense of their 5A East Conference Title , Burnside is turning her focus to basketball and what her role is on this team . Last season , she averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game shooting 47 % from the floor . Burnside is also looking at what she can do outside of the stat sheet to help her team reach Hot Springs .
“ This year being a senior , with the first season being volleyball I think I did step up the leadership a lot more , and realized that every team does need a leader for success ,” she said . “ I hope to take on that role in these last 2 seasons as well . We just want to take the next step as a whole group . It ’ s never about the individual at all . We want to go 1-0 every single day . We do that , all the individual stuff will take care of itself . As long as I am giving my all , have my teammates back through thick and thin , and be the best person I can be . That ’ s all I care about as an individual .
As for what she will do when she doesn ’ t have to work in three different practices , games , and workouts at the same time , Burnside is not sure . Opportunities will surely come her way to play something at the next level , and the three sport star may have to finally choose one to focus on . “ I am currently not sure what I am wanting to do after high school or where I am going yet ,” she said . “ I have some opportunities to go play that I could carry on with . Other than that , I do want to major in nursing wherever I go and one day become a travel nurse .” As for now , she will continue to live in the moment and work toward the future as she has two more teams to lead to a state title run and continue one of the most decorated high school careers in the state .
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