This Week's Whiz Kid: Luke Houston

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

Whiz Kid: Luke Houston

Whiz Kid's School: Pearl River High School, 12th grade

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Scored 33 points in a 60-47 victory over Peekskill in the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals despite playing with a sprained ankle. The Pirates will play in the semifinals 6:30 p.m. today against Tappan Zee. Houston led all scorers in Rockland County this season with 20.2 points per game. He recently got a scholarship offer from Southern Connecticut State, a Division II school. Dominican College and St. Thomas of Aquinas are among the other schools recruiting Houston.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Houston is a versatile player who can attack the basket and shoot from outside, but also handles the ball, defends and rebounds well. He comes from a basketball family. Grandfather Jerry Houston, Sr. once scored 69 points in a game for LaSalle Academy and starred at St. John's. His father, Kevin Houston, was the leading scorer in the nation as a senior at Army. Uncle Jerry Houston, the Pirates' head coach, was also a standout at Pearl River. "Ever since I was little, I remember having a basketball in my hands," Luke Houston said. "From when I was four years old. It’s second nature. It’s like breathing."

ATTENTION PARENTS, COACHES, TEACHERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY:

Do you know a kid in the Pearl River School District who has done something awesome? Did they earn their gold award? Get straight A's? Help bring their team to victory with the winning goal?

Let us know!! Email alanna@alannaheraghty.com with their name, age, contact info, and what makes them a Whiz Kid, and we'll feature them in an upcoming article.