Matt Popeck’s college basketball career didn’t get off to a usual start.

The men’s team was playing over 2,000 miles away from home. It’s opponent, Whitman, was ranked No. 1 in the country coming into the season, and Popeck, unlike most Division III freshmen, was starting at point guard for his collegiate debut.

Although the Jackets fell to Whitman, 113-74, Popeck shined, making nine of his 13 shots and scoring 23 points. In the 24 regular season games after that, Popeck eclipsed his opening night point total four times, twice reaching 30 points, and ended the regular season leading all Presidents’ Athletic Conference freshmen in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game, which was also good for seventh overall in the conference.

With Timmy Kaiser graduating last season, the point guard position was one that needed to be filled coming into the season. Although Popeck was well established as the all-time leading scorer at Washington High School, he wasn’t sure of where he would stand until after practices had started.

“I didn’t really know [what my role would be],” Popeck said. “The first week of practice, I just tried to work as hard as I could and just challenge everybody and play my game and [score]. [Head coach Mark Christner] told me that I was going to be starting in the scrimmage against La Roche, and it was just a good moment for me just moving forward—just seeing what I can do and just be growing every day and filling in that role.”

Although he is a freshman, the numbers show that Popeck’s individual success on the court is proportional to the collective success of the Yellow Jackets. In Waynesburg 10 wins this season, he has been one of the Jackets top two scorers in all but one of them, and his 372 total points rank second to senior wing Jon Knab – and are 202 points ahead of the next highest scorer.

In the four games Popeck failed to score in double figures the Jackets are winless.

Popeck is familiar with the spotlight. In his last two seasons at Wash High, the Little Prexies went 42-14 overall and 24-2 in conference games, making the PIAA state playoffs in both seasons. For Christner, Popeck playing a significant role on those teams helped him not be overwhelmed with the college game.

“He’s always been used to having a good defender on him … Part of his game is scoring, and being able to be assertive offensively,” Christner said. “So I think he’s used to that component, and so it’s a matter of just kind of learning how teams play, learning how things happen and involving other talented guys as well.”

Popeck’s rookie campaign hasn’t come without its valleys. Around Christmas time, he went through illness. He responded by averaging 13.6 points over five games during the winter break. After a stretch in January in which he scored fewer than 10 points in four of five games— all of which were losses—Popeck overcame an ankle injury against Westminster. In that game Popeck put up a then-career-high 30 points and led the Jackets to an 88-86 victory that ended the eight-game skid. Popeck was been recognized by the ECAC numerous times and recently recognized with ECAC Division III South Rookie of the Week honors.

Popeck had handled his first college season by being himself, and believing in his abilities.

“[I’m] just playing my game and playing with confidence,” Popeck said. “Knowing that I can play and I can make an impact. [We are] just trying to play for each other, [I] play for the guys around me, play for my teammates. Just every night, doing whatever it takes to win.”

For Christner, Popeck has shown that he has the right mentality to deal with the ups-and-downs of college basketball.

“It’s a long year, it’s physical,” Christner said. “I think for him, his resiliency has been good… The important thing is that you don’t lose confidence in the type of player you believe you can be, and he really hasn’t.”

As Popeck’s name gains notoriety throughout the PAC, he’s noticed that other teams have picked up on his strengths and weaknesses. For Popeck, understanding what his opponents are throwing at him, and doing the work needed to adjust to it, is essential.

“Just seeing what some of the teams do, I’m just paying attention to it and learning it, and just trying to figure out ways that I can work, get in the gym and just find ways so that they can’t do that,” Popeck said. “Just so I could handle everything and just be able to make plays.”

Popeck came to Waynesburg during a transition period for Yellow Jacket basketball. After a PAC title game appearance in 2015, Waynesburg hasn’t had a winning season since. Popeck’s main objective is to be a catalyst in changing that.

“I just know what we can do and what we’re going to do,” Popeck said. “Just trying to get all the guys in the gym to work hard, so we can have some winning seasons and we can make history here. That’s my goal.”