The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Student of the game
Burns floor general this year
By Dave Merchant, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 31, 2008
Senior guard Torren Burns takes his job on the basketball court very seriously.
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He considers himself the floor general of the team, and the rest of the Ypsilanti Phoenix see him as a very integral part of this squad.
He has only been on varsity for two years but felt very honored to be called up to the team at the end of his sophomore year. This year he leads the team in scoring.
"My job as the point guard is to be the floor general and control the tempo of the game," Burns explained. "I love to play behind a crowd. They keep me going and I love the atmosphere in the Mega Red."
Last year the Phoenix were handed disappointing losses by Romulus after the Eagles beat them for the last game of the regular season and in the first game of the tournament.
"This is our senior year," he said. "We (Terry Lopez and Marvon Sanders) want to leave a mark and a legacy. We want to finish strong and strive to go as far as we can."
Aside from those two seniors on the team, there is also Greg Gibson and Sam Robinson who are seniors as well.
In the past he has played behind the likes of Josh Young, Woody Payne and L.J. Frazier but this year has been his time to shine with Sanders and Lopez.
Burns said he feels privileged to have such a good group of coaches as Steve Brooks and John Edwards.
"I haven't seen any better," he said. "We have a wonderful staff and they do a great job."
He said that Brooks will be in the gym seven days a week if he has to, and they watch so much film and prepare for each game that it a big part of why he loves to play basketball.
"We have four-hour film sessions and he will show you how to get better," he said. "If I score 18 to 20 points in a game, he will show me how I was standing around at one point and could have scored more. You can always get better."
Aside from the tough league conference the team always plays against the top talent in the state.
Ypsilanti Coach Steve Brooks is very pleased to have a player like Burns on the floor for him.
"He is a student of the game," Brooks said. "He will look at film and he will study it.
"He runs the point and he never sits downs. He is a beautiful kid."
Aside from playing basketball, Burns ran cross country this season and he will again run track in the spring.
"I like to run distance," he said. "I run the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter events. It helps me not get so winded in basketball."
After high school, Burns would like to attend Northwood University and if possible play basketball at the Division 2 level.
"My number one choice is Northwood because they have a good business management program," he said. "From an academic standpoint I like them because I could also get a double major (automotive)."
He also said he has an interest in Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University as well.
His parents Jacquelin Burns-Robertson and Thomas Robertson are very supportive of his athletic and academic careers at Ypsilanti High.
His favorite class in school currently is English and Burns is a very well spoken young man. One thing that Burns says is important about succeeding in sports is something people can apply to everyday life.
"Keep a positive mind in everything that you do," he said. "You have to work hard and be open-minded. Look to receive help and work hard."
Contact Staff Writer Dave Merchant at 697-8255 or dmerchant@heritage.com
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