By Steve Svetovich
Kieran Burrier is a floor leader for the Holy Cross Crusaders basketball team.
And he is showing the way to his teammates as a junior and three-year member of the team.
Son of Shawn and Danielle Burrier, Kieran’s brother Braden played high school basketball and football at Scranton Prep, graduating in 2017.
Kieran recently scored 24 points in a 59-48 loss to Holy Redeemer.
He is averaging in double figures for the Crusaders under veteran basketball coach Al Callejas.
But scoring is not important to him. “I like to find the open man and get him a good shot,” he said.
He talked about what makes a good guard in high school basketball.
“You need to have good vision on the court. I like to drive to the basket and pass off to get one of the guys an open shot. You need to be able to hit the open guy. Of course, you need to be able to hit a shot yourself.”
Kieran is an outstanding student at Holy Cross. He has a 97 academic average. “I try to balance my time well between basketball and academics. It is all about good time management.”
Kieran said he has learned a lot from his parents.
“Basically, they taught me to respect others. And that goes a long way.”
The talented student-athlete said coach Callejas has taught him plenty.
“He taught me to become a leader on the floor. He taught me to listen more and also to respect everyone. Respect is big with him.”
Personable and hard working, Kieran talked about the team goals.
“First, we want to win the Lynett Tournament and then the league title. After that, we want to make a good run at states. We came close last year.”
And his future goals?
“I want to play college basketball and eventually become a pharmacist. I am looking to attend Wilkes or the University of Scranton.”
Kieran enjoys listening to music in his spare time and would like to see Post Malone in concert.
For now, Kieran is enjoying his experience at Holy Cross. “It’s an amazing school. It’s a little place, but we are all family here.
“I am really enjoying my time here.”
Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs (LSODAP) recently received funding through the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ State Targeted Response grant program to lead development of a community-wide pregnancy-recovery program for mothers-to-be in Lackawanna County struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). 
The Healthy MOMS program is modeled after Ohio’s successful Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMS) Project, a community-based model that addresses the needs of pregnant women and newborns struggling with OUD. Care is coordinated through a team of community partners specifically aligned to guide a woman with OUD on her path of recovery. Women who participate in the Healthy MOMS program receive support at any time during their pregnancy, prior to birth, at the hospital and postpartum. Support can include assistance with housing, childcare, transportation, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), substance abuse counseling, case management, mental health counseling, recovery supports through a certified recovery specialist, and medical care for mom and baby.