Dec 20, 2023 3 min read

Name: Westley Burchianti

School: Avella

Sport: Basketball

Class: Senior

Burchianti’s week

The 6-1 guard scored 30 points and 11 rebounds in the Eagles’ 58-44 non-section victory over Freedom and followed that up with a 29-point, 10-rebound performance two nights later in a 73-39 triumph over Mapletown in non-section play.

Burchianti made 12 field goals, including four 3-pointers, and was 2 of 5 at the foul line in the victory over Freedom. He made 14 field goals (1 three-pointer) against the Maples.

“I was able to finish with layups and floaters in those games, plus I was feeling pretty good from three-point range against Freedom,” Burchianti said. “I didn’t get to the foul line against Mapletown, which is rare for me. I usually get to the foul line a good bit. It was great to have two double-doubles in a week.”

Playing up

Burchianti worked in the offseason with players from schools with larger classifications, including helping Uniontown coach Rob Kezmarsky with his camp in the summer for youth players.

“It was neat to get to know the players from Uniontown and work with them a little bit,” Burchianti said. “They are one of the best teams in the WPIAL and play in Class 4A, so it really helped me develop my game. I also worked a lot on my jump shot this summer.”

The Eagles compete in Class A Section 1 and Burchianti hopes they can be one of the four teams to qualify out of the section for the playoffs.

Last hurrah

Avella made the playoffs last season, but had a tough first-round opponent in Geibel Catholic, who advanced to the semifinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs. During Burchianti’s freshman year, the Eagles qualified for the postseason but had to forfeit out because of a player contacting COVID-19 and the team was required to quarantine. Avella didn’t qualify for the playoffs two years ago.

“It was nice to get in the playoffs last year, but we want to be able to win a playoff game this year,” Burchianti said. “I am the lone senior on the team, so I really want us to win one before I graduate. I really believe we can compete this year, and I really want this because basketball is my favorite sport.”

No horsing around

Burchianti is a three-sport athlete for the Eagles, as he runs cross country and plays baseball, plus he is active in equestrian as he travels to horse shows all over the country. He wants to play basketball in college, but he hasn’t ruled out running cross country, playing baseball or being involved in an equine activity, even if it was at the club level.

“I have been talking to some coaches for basketball and cross country in college, but I haven’t made any decisions yet,” Burchianti said. “I really enjoy cross country and baseball, plus horses are a big part of my life. I will just have to weigh my options and see what happens.”

Burchianti is interested in studying business in college.

Compiled by Jonathan Guth