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Champe heads into the playoffs eager to keeping achieving firsts Champe heads into the playoffs eager to keeping achieving firsts
(about 7 hours later)
Champe boys’ basketball had never held a senior night for four-year players, but in Aldie, Zach Burdick and Kuony Deng are used to firsts. After last week’s game with Woodgrove, they played along for a new milestone.Champe boys’ basketball had never held a senior night for four-year players, but in Aldie, Zach Burdick and Kuony Deng are used to firsts. After last week’s game with Woodgrove, they played along for a new milestone.
“It’s a funny story. The A.D. and the coaches added up our career numbers and in high school I’ve scored like 1,300 points and Zach has about 1,100,” said Deng. “But we needed to do something for senior night, so we just celebrated our thousandth point. They said ‘Okay, Kuony, your fourth point will be your thousandth and Zach, your eighth.”“It’s a funny story. The A.D. and the coaches added up our career numbers and in high school I’ve scored like 1,300 points and Zach has about 1,100,” said Deng. “But we needed to do something for senior night, so we just celebrated our thousandth point. They said ‘Okay, Kuony, your fourth point will be your thousandth and Zach, your eighth.”
The school opened its doors in 2012, so the multi-sport duo is part of the first four-year senior class. Deng moved from Iowa and transferred before his junior year. He has teamed up with Burdick and junior Dom Fragala, who transferred from O’Connell, to set a new standard for the Knights.The school opened its doors in 2012, so the multi-sport duo is part of the first four-year senior class. Deng moved from Iowa and transferred before his junior year. He has teamed up with Burdick and junior Dom Fragala, who transferred from O’Connell, to set a new standard for the Knights.
“Without the transfer of Dom and Kuony, I don’t think we would be as strong,” Burdick said. “Not only are they really skilled, but they constantly strive to get better in practice and always bring the intensity our team needs.”“Without the transfer of Dom and Kuony, I don’t think we would be as strong,” Burdick said. “Not only are they really skilled, but they constantly strive to get better in practice and always bring the intensity our team needs.”
Champe is undefeated in Loudoun County apart from a 16-point loss to No. 12 Loudoun Valley on Jan. 12. The Knights hope to repeat as Conference 22 champions before taking another shot at the Vikings.Champe is undefeated in Loudoun County apart from a 16-point loss to No. 12 Loudoun Valley on Jan. 12. The Knights hope to repeat as Conference 22 champions before taking another shot at the Vikings.
“I really want to play them one more time,” Burdick said.“I really want to play them one more time,” Burdick said.
Deng, a wide receiver and defensive end on the football field, has committed to play both football and basketball at Virginia Military Institute. On the hardwood, the 6-foot-6 swingman is a versatile contributor on both ends of the court.Deng, a wide receiver and defensive end on the football field, has committed to play both football and basketball at Virginia Military Institute. On the hardwood, the 6-foot-6 swingman is a versatile contributor on both ends of the court.
“I consider myself as a matchup nightmare. If I got a bigger guy, I’ll take him to the wing and hit threes. If I have a smaller guy I’ll post him up,” Deng said. “Our whole team spreads the floor and scores in a lot of ways. We’re tough to guard.”“I consider myself as a matchup nightmare. If I got a bigger guy, I’ll take him to the wing and hit threes. If I have a smaller guy I’ll post him up,” Deng said. “Our whole team spreads the floor and scores in a lot of ways. We’re tough to guard.”
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