Burnet senior point guard Colton Stevens is a 5-7 spark for Bulldogs
Burnet senior guard Colton Stevens (right) makes his way to the basket while being defended by Marble Falls senior guard Zuri Buchanan. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Burnet High School senior point guard Colton Stevens describes himself as a player who distributes the ball as much as he can.
Sometimes, that description doesn’t live up to his play.
He stands 5 feet 7 inches but plays like he’s 6-5. Though he understands his role is to keep his teammates involved, especially seniors Derrick Kiser, Joe Parker and Clayton Baumgart, he also takes it upon himself to be the team’s firecracker.
Stevens has one gear – all out, every second of every minute — and is willing to do whatever the team needs. If it’s scoring, Stevens does it by either driving to the basket or hitting a long-range jumper. If it’s taking advantage of a weakness in the opponent, Stevens will attack by either pushing the tempo or being smart enough to keep the ball away. If it’s forcing a turnover, the guard makes sure it happens. And he’s unafraid of huddling his teammates together during a dead ball to remind them of what needs to happen next.
“Occasionally, it comes to one player,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s me. I like those moments.”
Indeed.
Trailing Marble Falls 47-36 with four minutes 44 seconds left, Stevens led the Bulldogs’ comeback by dropping in three free throws after being fouled on an attempted 3-pointer to tie the game. Parker made the game-winning foul shot. Stevens led the Bulldogs with 19 points.
“It’s not just me,” he said. “Whoever is hot right now, making baskets, we feed off them. Burnet Bulldog defense is the key to winning games. And I love defense.”
He also appreciates good basketball. As the point guard, he can distribute the ball and enjoys seeing Baumgart, the 6-8 post, force his way into the lane.
“He’s a great basketball player,” Stevens said. “It’s amazing to watch him play. Watching him and the people in the paint is awesome.”
The guard’s favorite game was against another purple-and-gold rival, Liberty Hill, in last season’s 53-51 win to begin District 8-3A play. Stevens scored 14 of his 16 points in the second period and ensured the Bulldogs kept a lead until the final 28 seconds. The only reason the Panthers were able to tie the game is because they didn’t allow Stevens to take over.
The son of Lisa and David Brigner is undecided on a major but wants to play college basketball.
Stevens’ Amateur Athletic Union team is the D-1 Ambassadors.
Stevens’ confidence grew by playing AAU basketball. That also helped him improve his shooting, ball distribution and defense, which has translated into success for the Bulldogs.
“It really helps you to master where you’re at and where you stand,” he said. “It’s pretty cool.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com