“His work ethic is second to none and is never content to accept his game at the current level,” said Hudson boys basketball coach Jeff Brink about this week's SportsInk.com Athlete of the Week, Richie Piekarski.
Even though the Explorers have had a struggling basketball season, the beacon for the team has been the play of their four-year player Piekarski. “We moved here when I was in grade school and got involved right away in athletics,” he said.
Even though he understands he has enormous football talents, his first love will always be basketball. Piekarski, a senior, has signed a letter to take his football skills to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Richie had a tremendous football career with Hudson as he was named third team All-State Quarterback and first team All-District.
“My parents are my biggest influence in my life, along with my cousin Zach,” Piekarski said. “They showed me that hard work does pay off."
“Richie routinely stays after practice to get an extra workout in the weight room or work on his game," Brink said. "He is constantly doing whatever possible in order to become a better player.”
Piekarski is averaging 16.8 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game for the Explorers.
“One of his biggest strengths is his versatility," Brink said. "He can play all five positions on the floor and is strong enough to battle post players down in the low post.”.
“I love being part of a team as I love the Cavaliers, the Steelers, and Michael Jordan” said Piekarski. Richie recently poured in 33 points to lead the Explorers in a win over Cuyahoga Falls. “That game stands out to me as my best on the court,” said Piekarski.
As I mentioned Richie is taking his athletic ability to Duquesne, where he will certainly battle to become the quarterback very soon. But he has more than football on the line once he arrives in Pittsburgh.
“I want to get into business management and have my own business,” Piekarski said. Rich and Sue Piekarski should be proud of their son, who has done so much for the Hudson athletic program and for himself as he carries a 3.4 GPA.
“His leadership on and off the court is invaluable as he has made it easy for the young players at Hudson to learn his values and what we stress in our program,” said Brink.