Season Preview: South Central League
This league has a history of factoring into the Class 4A state championship race. With the strength of Pueblo Central, Pueblo West and Pueblo South, that may not change this year. Below is the predicted order of finish: 1. Pueblo…
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Continue ReadingThis league has a history of factoring into the Class 4A state championship race. With the strength of Pueblo Central, Pueblo West and Pueblo South, that may not change this year.
Below is the predicted order of finish:
1. Pueblo Central. Last season: 19-6 overall, 8-2 in league.
The Wildcats feature arguably the best tandem in 4A, next to Sand Creek’s D’Shawn Schwartz and Jordan Phillips, in Mike Ranson (Northern Colorado signee) and Kobi Betts (Air Force). Ranson is a tremendously talented pure scorer who led all classifications in points per game last year at a 25.6 clip. Betts, a highly-athletic point guard who can score and distribute, poured in 19.8. 6-foot-2 and 220-pound football player Beau Gordon (5.2) and lightning quick 5-foot-5 Isaiah Marquez (3.7) are two more returning starters. Central doesn’t have much depth and the starters, especially Ranson and Betts, are relied on very heavily for nearly all the scoring and size is a bit of an issue for this team, but with an explosive tandem like Ranson and Betts and some solid complementary pieces, this could be a Final Four team.
2. Pueblo West. Last season: 18-6 overall, 8-2 in league.
David Simental, much like Ranson and Betts, can fill it up in a hurry. As a sophomore, he racked up 18.7 points while shooting 53 percent from the field, 45 percent from beyond the arc and 82 percent from the charity stripe. He has a smooth, consistent shooting stroke and is an intelligent, crafty guard who is our No. 15 ranked prospect in 2017. Simental is the backbone of an offense that racked up over 70 points and drained 49 percent of their shots and also has Kenneth Tack (12.9) and Braden Shirley (8.9) back. West is among a number of 4A teams that could be Boulder bound for the semifinals, as well.
3. Pueblo South. Last season: 19-7, 8-2 in league.
The Colts have a grit to their team. The past two seasons they’ve won 22 and 19 games and been one of the premier programs in the classification. While South did graduate three of their five double digit scorers, Isiah Pannunzio (10.9) and Maleek Johnson (10.8) are both talented all-around athletes. Pannunzio, a thick 6-foot-2 forward, is a Colorado State football commit. Johnson is a fast and rangy guard who looks capable of averaging closer to 20 points this season, if needed. Pierre Taylor and Lawrence Ramos will probably make heavy contributions as sophomores. The Colts will have that same toughness and talent.
4. Pueblo East. Last season: 9-14, 3-7 in league.
The Eagles had a transition year after claiming their first state championship in the sport two years ago. Coach Dave Ryder retired and with him went a fantastic senior group. Under first-year coach Mike Massaro, East struggled with consistency, especially on the offensive end. Luke Padula (10 ppg) returns after leading the team in scoring as a sophomore. Several other Eagles return from the rotation for a team that could be much improved.
5. Pueblo County. Last season: 8-15, 3-7 in league.
Travis Martin, a senior guard who led the Hornets in points per game last winter at 11.0, will be a go-to player for a team with a mixture of returners and seniors departed. County hopes to rise into the top four of the league standings.
6. Pueblo Centennial. Last season: 6-13 overall, 0-10 in league.
The Bulldogs will have all four leading scorers back, and all will be seniors. Derrek Valdez, Dustin Tilley, Brennen Gurule and Reginald Vaughan look to finish their high school careers in style.
Preseason All-League Teams
Preseason Player of the Year: Mike Ranson
First Team
Mike Ranson, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Pueblo Central
Kobi Betts, 6-foot-3 senior guard, Pueblo Central
David Simental, 6-foot-2 junior guard, Pueblo West
Maleek Johnson, 6-foot-1 senior forward, Pueblo South
Isiah Pannunzio, 6-foot-3 senior forward, Pueblo South
Second Team
Kenneth Tack, 6-foot-4 senior guard/forward, Pueblo West
Travis Martin, 6-foot-1 senior guard, Pueblo County
Luke Padula, 6-foot-2 junior guard, Pueblo East
Derrek Valdez, 6-foot-5 senior forward, Pueblo Centennial
Braden Shirley, 6-foot-3 senior forward, Pueblo West