WPIAL Alum Q&A – Monica Burns

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, December 26, 2017 | 5:13 PM

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Setting a record at any level of athletics is an impressive feat. Former Hempfield Area standout and current Wheeling Jesuit basketball player Monica Burns, however, established a mark that has never been duplicated at the college or professional level of basketball in the United States. Burns is this week’s feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.

Before making history at the collegiate level, Burns was the catalyst for a very successful program at Hempfield. In 2011-12, Burns and the Spartans compiled a record of 20-4, including a playoff victory against Woodland Hills, before ultimately falling to Upper St. Clair in the second round.

As a junior in 2012-13, Burns helped guide the Spartans to a mark of 14-0 in Class Quad-A Section 1. The season ended in disappointment, though, as Hempfield Area lost to Upper St. Clair in the first round of the playoffs, finishing 19-4. That campaign, Burns netted 19.6 points per contest.

In her senior season, Burns produced arguably the best season in the history of Hempfield Area girls’ basketball. The Spartans entered the Class Quad-A playoffs as the No. 12 seed, but finally defeated Upper St. Clair in the first round, and then knocked off Bethel Park and top-seeded North Allegheny to reach the WPIAL Championship game. At the Palumbo Center, Hempfield fell to section foe Penn-Trafford, 56-45. The Spartans got back in the win column in the PIAA postseason, however, defeating Obama Academy and Fox Chapel before tasting defeat to North Allegheny in the state quarterfinals. Individually, Burns averaged more than 22 points per game that season, and was named First-Team All-State and also earned a spot on the All-Netters team.

For her high-school career, Burns notched 1,295 points, and was a three-time all-conference honoree.

She then matriculated to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to continue her playing career. Burns appeared in 16 games as a true freshman for IUP in 2014-15, averaging just 3.0 points per game.

Following that campaign, Burns transferred to Wheeling Jesuit, taking a redshirt in 2015-16. After a year on the sidelines, Burns returned to the floor last year, and became a top offensive option. She played in 32 games for the Cardinals, including 31 starts, and averaged a team-leading 15.4 points per game. In the process, Burns shot .376 percent from behind the arc, and also made .946 percent of her foul shots. Moreover, she contributed 2.8 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists, and also collected a team-best 54 steals. Collectively, the Cardinals enjoyed tremendous success, finishing 25-7. Included in that mark was an 80-61 victory against Fairmont State University to capture the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Championship.

Now a junior, Burns is still pacing the Cardinals in scoring, averaging 16.8 points through the first dozen contests. She has been accurate from both behind the arc and at the line, converting .360 and .935 percent of her attempts, respectively. She has also contributed 2.9 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists and 23 steals. Wheeling Jesuit has struggled out of the gate, however, winning just four of its first 12 games.

It was a streak earlier this season that thrust Burns into the national spotlight, though. Burns become the first player at any level of college basketball to hit 100 consecutive foul shots, spanning back to the prior season. Additionally, no player in the history of the NBA or WNBA had accomplished the feat, either. The streak, which ultimately spanned 24 games over two seasons, reached 118 before Burns finally missed in late November.

Monica dedicated time away from the court to answer questions about her historic performance at the foul line, playing with her sisters, and the best piece of advice she ever received.

Q: Your free-throw streak generated a lot of attention. How did you handle the pressure at the foul line, knowing you were making history each time?

A: Every time I went to the line, I can’t lie, the streak was always in the back of my head. I thought of shooting my free throws as an opportunity for my team to extend our lead or shrink the deficit 

Q: How did you become so successful at shooting?

A: Shooting is passion and I feel that the key to it is confidence – as a shooter you have to believe that every shot is going to go in before you shoot that shot. Repetition and hours in the gym are how I have accomplished what I have to this day.

Q: What is the most underrated part of your game?

A: I feel that my shooting and my long range takes away from the fact that I have the strong ability to get to the rim. Getting to the bucket is such an important part of my offensive game, because it makes me much more than a shooter and more versatile.

Q: What has been the most memorable experience of your college career thus far?

A: The most memorable moment of my college career is winning the 2016-2017 MEC Championship; it was our second consecutive trip to the finals and we came together as a team to pull out the win, and I have a ring from that now, so I am forever grateful for that.

Q: What is your team’s outlook for this season?

A: Our outlook on this season is improvement. We are a fairly young team and are always looking to get better each practice and each game. Although our record may not show our whole story so far this season, we have plenty of season left to prove what we are made of.

Q: What led to your decision to transfer to Wheeling Jesuit?

A: I wanted an opportunity to play my game, simple as that. I was looking for a coach who appreciated my hard work. 

Q: What is your major, and ideal future profession?

A: My major is criminal justice. My dream is to be in law enforcement. I want to be in the state police, because I want to put the safety of others before my own. I’ve always had that aspect to me of looking out for others.

Q: What has been your most enjoyable college class?

A: My most enjoyable college class would be my law enforcement class, because I got a chance to explore the realness of my future career.

Q: You had great success at Hempfield Area. What was your fondest memory from high school?

A: My best memory of high school at Hempfield was definitely senior night. It was very emotional, because my little sister, Michelle, and I are so close, so it was my last game playing on my home floor with her. Overall, it was a great night, because we won and everyone was there to support us.

Q: Who was the best player you ever faced in high school?

A: My older sister, Mary, is the best player I played against. Although we rarely played against each other, when she would guard me in practice, we would always go at it because she always knew what move I was going to do next. I could even go as far as saying she knew me better than I knew myself sometimes!

Q: Your younger sister is also playing college basketball now. How frequently do you talk to her, and do you offer any advice about her career?

A: Michelle and I talk probably almost every other day. I know she is constantly excelling on and off the court. She is an excellent athlete and student, so I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about her adjusting to college. She is as competitive as anyone I know.

Q: Do you have any routines or superstitions for basketball?

A: Before any game, I always get hundreds of shots up and I always hold onto and pray my rosary.

Q: Aside from basketball, what is your favorite hobby or activity?

A: Just hanging out with my boyfriend and friends. They mean the world to me. I feel that it’s very important to be social and make relationships in college. With as much time as I spend in the gym, it’s always very important to rest and do other things.

Q: Who is your celebrity dream date?

A: Hmm it’s hard to say; other than my boyfriend, Austen, it’s hard to imagine. But I would have to say LeBron James. He’s my favorite basketball player, and as far as I know, he is just an all-around great person and role model. He’s a family guy and has the best reputation going.

Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?

A: The best advice I’ve ever received would be from my high school coach Aaron Epps – “Trust your grind.” He only had to tell me that once.

Tags: Hempfield, Indiana, Wheeling Central Catholic (WV)