Top five standouts from first half of South-Central League
The South-Central League has seen a noticeable split this season between its top-tier teams and the ones scraping to try and make the playoffs. Pueblo East, Pueblo Central and Pueblo West are all fighting for a top 16 spot in…
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Continue ReadingThe South-Central League has seen a noticeable split this season between its top-tier teams and the ones scraping to try and make the playoffs.
Pueblo East, Pueblo Central and Pueblo West are all fighting for a top 16 spot in the RPI while Pueblo County, Pueblo South and Pueblo Centennial are trying to fight back.
With that, here is a look at five of the biggest standouts of the S-CL season so far.
League standings: 1, Pueblo East 6-0; 2, Pueblo Central 4-2; 3, Pueblo West 4-2; T4; Pueblo County 2-4; T4, Pueblo South 2-4; 6, Pueblo Centennial 0-6
5. Kyle Bigley, sophomore, Pueblo Central
Pueblo Central’s Kyle Bigley, right, gets to the hoop against Pueblo East’s Jaxson Herring.The biggest win of the Wildcats season came with a 54-49 overtime victory over Pueblo West back on Jan. 30.
In that game, Bigley led Pueblo Central in scoring with 17 points and has stayed on fire since.
Bigley has lived up to the name by being a large body to block down low when it comes to scoring or getting rebounds for the Wildcats as he averages 11.9 points per game.
4. Jimmy Wardle, senior, Pueblo West
Pueblo West’s Jimmy Wardle goes up for a 3-pointer against Windsor.If Wardle gets hot, opposing teams might as well take a seat or get on the bus early.
The senior has proven to be one of the best sharpshooters in the league, highlighted by a league-opening win over Pueblo Centennial when he scored 31 points off of nine made 3-pointers.
Having Wardle on the outside along with scoring threat Taylor Harris has made the backcourt of the Cyclones a tough one to contend with.
3. Steven Hemphill, junior, Pueblo Central
With Bigley working down low, Hemphill has been open up top for the Wildcats as his 14.9 points per game ranks fourth in the S-CL in his first season of major varsity action.
The junior hasn’t been afraid to step up and hit the big shot, including 13 points in the upset of Pueblo West.
Being the leading scorer on a young, but improving Pueblo Central team could make him a dangerous x-factor come tournament time.
2. Kyle Miller, junior, Pueblo East
Pueblo East’s Kyle Miller, left, lines up for a shot over Pueblo South’s Tyler White.Speaking of sharpshooters, Miller has been one of the best in the S-CL, plus he has improved his game inside this season as well with his 6-foot-3 frame.
Miller is a matchup nightmare as he has the height to take smaller guards into the paint to score, or he can create space for an open shot against larger defenders.
Miller posted 23 points in a win over Pueblo Central to help Pueblo East stay unbeaten league and that number could have been more as he made five 3-pointers in the game before sitting most of the fourth.
1. Darnell Kindred, senior, Pueblo East
When you need a basket in the S-CL, you call Pueblo East senior Darnell Kindred.
He’s the league’s leading scorer with 17 points per game and has made working around the paint an art form with his near automatic elbow jumper.
If the shot isn’t open, Kindred does a great job driving to the hoop, drawing contact and finishing through it.
Plus he isn’t afraid to step back a little bit and knock down a 3-pointer or battle some of the league’s bigs for rebounds on defense.
Kindred has certainly earned the title of “walking bucket,” which was given to him by his teammate Kain Medrano last season.