Tommy Dynamite
By Jeff Johnson
Tommy Burton always knew he’d play basketball. 6’5 seventh graders walking the halls don’t make it past the entrances of the school before the coach is shaking his hand introducing himself. Getting on the court is the given. But winning is something that everyone isn’t always accustomed to and wins are definitely hard to come by. If you look at Burton's resume you’ll see a long track record of Championship and Final Four appearances on all levels including Middle School, High School, AAU & Junior College. Burton’s role has been different on every team. He’s been asked to be the focal point on offense, a defender, to get more rebounds, and to come off the bench. Basically Burton has done whatever his team needed him to do to win. He has been rewarded with 4 Finals 4’s and 2 State Championships in High school and last season a trip to Hutchinson Kansas to the NJCAA Tournament with the CSI Eagles. This year he’s back and has a hunger to add more hardware to his trophy case. Tommy is a decorated player in his own right on an absolutely loaded CSI team, which features 5 double figure scorers, Tommy averages 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds. He doesn’t mind not having high stats as long as his team get the “W”.
I caught up with Tommy this week and had the chance to ask him some questions about how his season has gone, his team’s chances in the tournament and where his recruitment stands at the moment.
Monday’s opening round game is against Snead State (AL) a team from your home state do you have any added incentive going against a team from Alabama?
It’s always fun going against a team from home. It’s a lotta familiar faces and come Monday it’s going to get real interesting.”
Your high school teammate Andrew Rogers won a National Championship with Northwest Florida in 2015. Did he offer you any advice headed into Monday’s game?
I talked to him last week, he told me to stay focused on the game and not be distracted. He said the games in Hutch are all about runs. If a team makes a run we need to be ready to respond with a run of our own and not panic.
We also talked about his versatility on the court in the past. Burton was known to play the inside and outside positions with ease. I asked him did he still create mismatches all over the floor.
I definitely still think I am a walking mismatch, my coach uses me on all positions on the court. I handle it, post up and rebound I try to be that glue guy that puts us over the top.
Looking toward the future I know Burton is being recruited to play at the next collegiate level. I asked about his recruitment at this moment, did he have any offers or favorites or any visits set?
I’m getting recruited more and more each day. But right now Portland State, Idaho State, Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Colorado and a few others stick out to me. Right now I know for sure Portland State will definitely be getting a visit.
I caught up with Tommy this week and had the chance to ask him some questions about how his season has gone, his team’s chances in the tournament and where his recruitment stands at the moment.
Monday’s opening round game is against Snead State (AL) a team from your home state do you have any added incentive going against a team from Alabama?
It’s always fun going against a team from home. It’s a lotta familiar faces and come Monday it’s going to get real interesting.”
Your high school teammate Andrew Rogers won a National Championship with Northwest Florida in 2015. Did he offer you any advice headed into Monday’s game?
I talked to him last week, he told me to stay focused on the game and not be distracted. He said the games in Hutch are all about runs. If a team makes a run we need to be ready to respond with a run of our own and not panic.
We also talked about his versatility on the court in the past. Burton was known to play the inside and outside positions with ease. I asked him did he still create mismatches all over the floor.
I definitely still think I am a walking mismatch, my coach uses me on all positions on the court. I handle it, post up and rebound I try to be that glue guy that puts us over the top.
Looking toward the future I know Burton is being recruited to play at the next collegiate level. I asked about his recruitment at this moment, did he have any offers or favorites or any visits set?
I’m getting recruited more and more each day. But right now Portland State, Idaho State, Cal State Bakersfield, Northern Colorado and a few others stick out to me. Right now I know for sure Portland State will definitely be getting a visit.