Brandon Burgraff

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Kyle Lovern

Sports Editor

MONTGOMERY – Former Matewan basketball standout Brandon Burgraff has been having an outstanding season with WVU Tech.

However, Burgraff’s season may be over after he suffered a knee injury. Burgraff was in town during the Christmas break.

He tore his lateral meniscus and will likely require surgery. He was to get a second opinion right after the holiday season was over.

Burgraff, who was an all-state guard at Matewan in 2009, was averaging just over 10 points per game. The 6-1 guard has always been known for his outside shooting. He had connected on 36-of-103 three-point shots for the Golden Bears for 35 percent. He was also averaging three assists per game.

Against UVA-Wise and Lander University he hit six 3-pointers and he fired in seven against Wilberforce (Ohio). He hit 5-10 against Fairmont State.

Burgraff first attended Alice Lloyd College right out of high school, but later transferred to Tech. He was a starting guard for the West Virginia school and was having an great season before the injury.

“The talent at the college level is great,” Burgraff said. “It is a lot tougher than high school – in practice and in games.”

He will still have one more year of eligibility remaining and he hopes to play again next year after surgery and rehab on his knee.

He is majoring in Criminal Justice and has thought about becoming a state trooper in the future.

WVU Tech is now an NAIA independent school. They had been playing in the Mid-South Conference and formerly played in the WVIAC.

The WVIAC has disbanded and some of those schools are forming a new conference. WVU Tech may join another league in the future.

Former Williamson High School and Mingo Central player Nick Lee is also a member of the WVU Tech squad. Lee is a true freshman and is redshirting this season. Burgraff said Lee has a chance to see action in the future for the Golden Bears.