COLORADO SPRINGS — It was almost a guarantee that the St. Mary's girl's basketball team would win their 3rd straight 3A state title this past season.
Then COVID-19 hit, derailing the Pirates season.
Now one the of most dominant girl's basketball programs in the state of Colorado will see some changes this year.
"Yeah there is some pressure, there is some pressure," said new Pirates head coach Kyle Burkett.
For the first time in 21 years, there is a new man patrolling the sidelines for the St Mary's.
"I had to get permission from my wife first," Burkett joked.
Last summer, longtime pirate head coach Mike Burkett announced his retirement, handing over the reins to one of the top girl's basketball programs in the state to his son Kyle.
It was a move that the younger Burkett was ready for, after sitting next to his dad on the sidelines since he was 5 years old.
"He really should me how to maneuver the high school girls game, and how to reach girls on a different level than you can with guys," explained Kyle.
As for what is the difference between father & son?
"He was the mastermind and stuff and coach Burkett was defiantly the leader," explained Pirates senior guard Kacey Barta.
"They both think legacy is a big part of St. Mary's and they are both really into that legacy especially being the son and the father," added junior guard Ellie Hartman. "I think that is a special relationship."
And speaking of that legacy, the duo believes there will be no drop off from a team that lost their 4 top scorers from a year ago.
"I think there is a good chance we can keep up the dominance and they understand there is a legacy to uphold" concluded Burkett. "It's going to be a learning year though."
Isn't that true for us all?
