Ty Burton still thinks about it sometimes. He still wonders. Was leaving Lampeter-Strasburg the right decision?
It was scary to move away from home as a junior. It was challenging to find the right place to chase his basketball dreams.
Burton’s unusual road, from L-S to two prep schools in different states, has finally led him to his college destination: Palm Beach Atlantic. The senior announced his commitment to the Division II school in Florida last week.
“I’m all about feel,” Burton said. “I feel like this is a place I can count as a second home. The minute I got there it felt like it was home. The coaching staff is fantastic. It was perfect the way it went.”
Lampeter-Strasburg's Ty Burton (3) knocks down a three point shot against Shippensburg during first half action of the District 3 5A boys basketball championship game at the Giant Center in Hershey Thursday March 3, 2022.
The choice, in the end, was easy. Palm Beach Atlantic showed the most interest for the longest period of time. The recruitment lasted for more than a year.
Burton’s hope was to play Division I. That’s the hope of most great high school players. Palm Beach Atlantic isn’t a bad substitute. It competes in the Sunshine State Conference, one of the best in Division II.
Nova Southeastern, the top team in that league, has reached the past two NCAA championship games. It won the title last year.
Burton has returned home to finish his degree through online classes. He left L-S after helping the Pioneers win the Lancaster-Lebanon League and District Three Class 5A championships as a sophomore in 2022.
The first stop was IMG Academy, the sports training factory in Bradenton, Florida. After one year there, Burton transferred to Moravian Prep in Hudson, North Carolina.
To this day, questions linger in Burton’s mind. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged 21.2 points in his final season at L-S. He was on pace to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. He could have possibly reached 2,000 career points.
“What if I stayed one more year and tried to become a legend or something?” Burton said. “Maybe it would be a memory for the rest of my life. I made that decision. Even after I made it, it was weighing on me.”
Burton said there are no regrets. Every step has helped him grow into the player he is today.
There’s no doubt Burton’s skills were tested in a way that could never happen in Section Three. He competed in the prestigious Overtime Elite League as part of the first-place YNG Dreamerz. He took on major Division I recruits. Guys who will likely wind up in the NBA.
It was a curtain call for the Lancaster-Lebanon League’s boys basketball seniors. One last c…
“It was kind of mind-blowing,” Burton said. “I wanted to take advantage of that. I wanted to make the most of every single game. It was definitely nerve-racking. The last game of the year I still had nerves.”
Burton is bigger and stronger now. The senior said he plays better defense and sees the floor as a true point guard. He has lofty goals. He wants to play professionally and has tried to give himself the best possible chance. That, in his mind, required leaving Lancaster County.
The only Division I offer Burton received was from Manhattan College. That was later pulled when the team had a coaching change. He hoped other D-I schools might call. They never did.
“I was kind of stressed out,” Burton said. “I was kind of devastated. I just kept going.”
Palm Beach Atlantic never stopped pursuing Burton and it became clear this was his best option. The former L-S standout hopes his days of bouncing around are over. He wants to help his new school compete for a championship.
Burton revealed his college decision on social media through a picture of himself in a PBA uniform. There was a giant wave and a palm tree behind him.
The image was put together by Burton’s AAU coach. It looked polished. Professional. It made him feel like he was headed to the big time.
“It brought a smile to my face,” Burton said. “Probably one of the biggest I ever had in my life. The dream of college basketball came true.”
It just took a few twists and turns to get there.
Lampeter-Strasburg's Ty Burton, center, and the rest of the team celebrate after beating Shippensburg 66-57 to win the District 3 5A boys basketball championship game at the Giant Center in Hershey Thursday March 3, 2022.
