By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– Wednesday afternoon was a longtime coming for South Salem’s Emma Burlison as she signed her Letter of Intent to play basketball at George Fox University in Newberg.
It is a fulfillment of a dream. And it came off of four years of hard work and sacrifice that saw her eclipsed over 1,000 career points and over 600 career assists in a Saxon uniform. Not to mention being named Central Valley Conference Player of the Year this past year, also a goal for the South Salem Senior.
All while helping the Saxons go 20-6 and reaching the second round of the 6A State Playoffs this past Winter.
But all the achievements and accolades, it’s just who she is.
“It’s just who I am. I want to push through everything and just know that there’s always something to work towards. Whether it’s basketball or life in general. It’s just that you work harder for everything,” Burlison said.
The Bruins, who play in the Northwest Conference at the NCAA Division-III level, went 15-12 this past year and fell in the NWC Championship Game to Whitman. It’s an opportunity that Burlison dreamed about.
And now, she’ll turn to that work ethic and the determination that got her to this point to help her adjust to the new challenges of College Basketball that’s ahead of her.
“Just pacing and tempo style. So being good in transition and just knowing where I am on the court and being able to get used to the new team,” said Burlison.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
