Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Matt Popeck
School: Washington
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Popeck’s week: Popeck had the most prolific scoring week of his varsity career, combining for 84 points over three games – all wins for the Prexies.
Popeck began the run with an incredible 42-point effort in an 85-51 victory at Brownsville, then scored 12 points the following night in a 59-47 victory at Avonworth and finished the run with a 30-point effort in a 73-49 home victory against South Side Beaver.
“I think it’s the most points I ever scored in one week,” said Popeck, a 6-0 guard. “The 42 points were the highest I scored in high school. I scored more in (my summer league) but that was the most in high school. My teammates were just getting me the ball, and I scored a lot of my points in transition.”
Another interesting aspect to the 42-point game was that it was accomplished in just under three quarters. Through Wash High’s first four games, Popeck is averaging 27.5 point a game.
“We’re relying on him more to do the scoring, especially early in the season because we have some inexperienced players in there right now,” said Washington head coach Ron Faust. “He’s worked very hard and is so explosive. It’s not a surprise because he has that ability.”
Improvement the key: One of the reasons Popeck’s scoring potential has soared is his work in the offseason. Popeck put on 20 pounds to reach 175 and uses the bigger body to drive more effectively to the basket. That’s why he has become a breakout scorer, creating opportunities down the lane.
“I didn’t play football this year,” Popeck said. “I spent the time working on my game. I worked with my dad a lot. I played in a summer league at the Brownson House and the Bud Grebb League in California. I got to play with some different people and against some different people. That was pretty cool. We played against some bigger schools and bigger players. I did pretty good attacking the basket.”
Creating new facets to his game allowed Popeck to be more effective. He was mainly a perimeter shooter as a junior but now that he drives more to the basket with a stronger body, he can score more easily.
“The 1 guard is a pretty good fit,” said Popeck. “The 2 guard is Jordan Swart, but we interchange. We both can handle the ball. We both can play the off-guard, and we’re the main ballhandlers. We have been playing together forever.”
Popeck wants to pursue a career in education and has a desire to coach. He has received interest from Division III programs. But, Faust believes Popeck has the potential to go higher.
“I think he probably maxes out at Division II,” said Faust. “Certainly, a lot of Division III schools are interested. He has the skills and ability. Whoever gets him will get a hard worker and someone who loves basketball.”
Compiled by Joe Tuscano