08:45 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News

Sophomore Rex Burkhead might be the fourth or fifth scoring option for Plano, but his performance Tuesday was something coach Tom Inman could get used to.

Burkhead's 11-point fourth quarter helped Plano beat rival Plano East, 56-48, in come-from-behind fashion. Burkhead, who finished with 14 points, averages less than six a game.

"For a sophomore, he's just incredible," Inman said. "He has a basketball IQ and a feel for the game. He made mistakes in the first half, but he blanked out his circuit board and did the job in the second half."

Inman said he hopes Tuesday was Burkhead's coming-out game, as Plano (18-5, 4-2) continues its District 9-5A schedule. Plano hosts Richardson on Friday.

Burkhead took pressure off leading scorer John Roberson, who finished with 23 points.

"If you're an opponent going into the fourth quarter, you're concerned about John," Inman said. "Your next concern is probably Landon [Skinner] or Reggie [Britton]. This was a huge game for Rex."

E-mail dsayles@dallasnews.com