SLIPPERY ROCK — Matt Shearer is busy. He has some homework to do.

It's physics. It's math. And a little bit of geometry.

Only the physics is the banging of two big bodies in the paint.

The math is how shooting percentages go up with the proper position inside.

And the geometry is how creating space and getting the proper angle can lead to more points — and more wins.

A senior forward on the Slippery Rock High boys basketball team, Shearer has become a student of the game.

"I've been watching a lot of basketball on television," Shearer said. "I've been learning a lot about the game."

Rockets coach Sean Strickland saw to that by giving Shearer an unusual homework assignment every night: Go home and watch basketball.

"I wanted him to watch at least one college basketball game each night," Strickland said. "I told him to watch how (Pittsburgh's) DeJuan Blair gets position inside."

It's worked.

Shearer has come a long way since his sophomore season. Now, he's a big reason why the Rockets are taking off toward a possible playoff berth — their first since the 2004-05 season.

With opponents determined to take leading scorer Zack Ejzak out of the equation, Shearer is averaged 17.4 points in the five games heading into Tuesday's contest.

That has raised his season scoring average from just more that 10 points to 12.5 points per contest.

"I've worked on my inside game. I've worked on it pretty hard," Shearer said. "I've worked on my shot more. I've just been trying to get better."

Shearer has become more physical — and more lethal — in the paint. He goes to the hoop with more authority and, even at 6-feet-3, has the hops to sky over taller players to release his one-handed short jumper.

Shearer, who averaged only 3.1 points per game as a sophomore and 10 points per contest last season, has come into his own at the most opportune time for the Rockets.

"I've told a lot of the college coaches who have come in to see him that, of all of our players, he's the one with the most potential," Strickland said. "He's learning about the game and he's combining that with his athleticism now."

Shearer scored a career-high 20 points in a tough overtime loss toFranklin last week. But since then, the Rockets have rolled off two impressive victories against Moniteau and region rival Hickory.

Shearer scored 17 points in both contests.

Slippery Rock, which has been up-and-down all season, is decidedly up now. Shearer wants to keep it that way.

"That win over Hickory really gave us a boost," Shearer said. "We've let a lot of games slip away in the fourth quarter. I think now we have learned from our past mistakes and how to close out games."

Shearer wants to close out his high school career in style.

The only thing that will satisfy him is a playoff berth.

"That's what we've all worked so hard for since we were sophomores," Shearer said.

Until recently, Shearer doubted whether he would play college basketball. Now, he's determined to suit up for a team next season.

"I don't want it to end," Shearer said. "I love the game too much."