Bell County High's Blake Burnett Stars in Athletics & Classroom
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
By Bill Templeton
Contributing Writer
Blake Burnett has been the face of Bell County High School athletics for four years, excelling for the Bobcats in three sports and ranking at the top of his class, academically.
A decorated high school athlete who has garnered postseason recognition in football, basketball and baseball, Burnett recently added to his glittering prep resume when he was named the recipient of the 13th annual Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones Award. The Jones family receives nominations from across Kentucky for consideration of the award that honors senior multi-sport athletes who also excel in the classroom and are active in community events and service.
“Wah Wah” Jones, Sr. was a key member of the 1944 Harlan team that won a Kentucky state basketball championship during Jones’ junior year. Jones was a two-sport All-American at the University of Kentucky, where he played for legendary coaches Adolph Rupp (basketball) and Paul “Bear” Bryant (football). Jones played for a pair of teams that won national championships and is the only player in UK history to have his jerseys retired in both sports.
Jones was also a pitcher on the UK baseball team and a member of the UK track and field team. He won a gold medal (for basketball) in the 1948 Summer Olympics, and later played in the National Basketball Association with the Indianapolis Olympians.
In the modern era where male and female student-athletes often choose to specialize in one sport, Burnett is a throwback to Jones’ era. In addition to starting every game at both quarterback and free safety for four years on the football team, Burnett has started for four years at point guard for the basketball team, and as a pitcher/infielder for the baseball team.
Burnett was humbled to win the prestigious award.
“Winning the Wallace “Wah Wah”Jones Award is truly an honor,” said Burnett, who ranks in the top 10 of his class with a 4.2 grade-point average. “I just want to thank God for guiding me through it all. It seems surreal that all of my hard work has paid off to be named Kentucky’s best multi-sport student athlete.
“It has been work nonstop over the last four-plus years, and much help and guidance from my family, coaches, and teammates. I am beyond blessed, and hope that I have made my community and school proud.”
Currently in the midst of his final prep basketball season, Burnett and his Bobcats teammates begin 52nd District Tournament play this week, with their collective sights set on a deep postseason run that could culminate in a trip to Lexington for the Sweet 16 State Tournament at Rupp Arena.
“Our team is absolutely special,” Burnett added about the basketball Bobcats. “We have so many guys that are ultra talented, but also just genuinely love and enjoy each other. This season is the third we have all been playing together. The experience and chemistry we’ve built is our biggest strength.
“Our goals are to win the 52nd District Tournament and then the 13th Region Tournament. Our mindset is one day at a time and whatever it takes to move on. With many scorers on our team we take pride in being unselfish and being winners rather than scorers. With that being said, we know in order to achieve our goals we are going to need to play our best ball in the coming weeks.”
Bell County basketball coach Brad Sizemore knows that Burnett’s leadership and consistent play at the point guard position will go a long way toward the Bobcats achieving their lofty goals, and was quick to praise his multi-talented senior.
“He has been a pleasure to coach,” Sizemore said. “Blake is not only a great player but also a first class young man. He is the standard for what you want in your student-athlete and he is someone who has had a major impact not just on the boys basketball program, but our school and several other sports programs.
“I am super excited for him to be recognized for (the Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones Award) for all of his hard work, and I am proud of how he has always done things the right way and put others first.
“He is a great leader for our team and sets a great example for all of the younger kids coming up in our program. We are certainly going to miss him next year and hope we can send him out in his senior season in style with a championship, because no one is more deserving than him and his teammates.”
Earlier this month in a home game against Whitley County, Burnett became Bell County’s career scoring leader for basketball, surpassing the previous record of 2,003 career points set by Dawson Woolum. Burnett enters 52nd District Tournament play this week with 2,071 career points to go along with more than 700 rebounds and more than 500 assists. He has led the Bobcats each of the last two seasons in both scoring and rebounding.
Bell County will take a 23-6 overall record into its 52nd District Tournament game Tuesday at home atop Log Mountain against Middlesboro.
Burnett’s accomplishments on the football field have stamped his legendary prep status in the gridiron sport. In his four years at the quarterback position, Burnett threw for nearly 4,300 yards and 48 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. He also rushed 210 times for approximately 1,500 yards and an additional 24 touchdowns. Defensively, Burnett recorded more than 180 tackles and finished his career tied for third in the KHSAA record books with 28 career interceptions.
During Burnett’s four years as the Bobcats’ starting quarterback, Bell County compiled an overall record of 46-9. Burnett did not miss a start during his prep career, leading the Bobcats to two regional championships and one state finals appearance.
Once the basketball season is over Burnett will wrap up his high school career on the diamond.
Burnett has been a regular for Bell County since his eighth grade season when he was promoted to the varsity team and pitched in the 2A Section 7 Championship game, a game won by the Bobcats. Burnett has accumulated 250 career strikeouts and surrendered just 92 career hits.
Burnett said he is currently mulling over his options to play at the collegiate level.
“For the next step with college, I am still undecided,” he said. “I am leaning towards just basketball, mainly. Hopefully, I will make a decision sooner, rather than later.”
Burnett will be presented with the Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones Award March 22 during the 2026 Mr. and Miss Kentucky Basketball Awards ceremony at the Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott Resort.
Bill Templeton lives with his family in Harlan County. He has more than 40 years of newspaper sportswriting experience, and currently covers high school sports in Harlan and Bell counties. He has also covered UK athletics as a columnist for harlancountysports.com.
