Five forwards/bigs to watch in the 5A/4A South Central League

<p>There have been changes to the world as we know it, and the Colorado high school basketball scene has taken its fair share of changes as well. Typically, we will have already started with some tournaments to get things kicked off at this time of the year, but there has to be a compromise on both ends. Not only will the season start late, but it will be a condensed season, so teams and players must get off to hot starts. We will focus on the 5A/4A South Central League, the league full of Pueblo Teams, a battle night in and night out. </p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="969431" first="Kadyn" last="Betts"] – Pueblo Central</strong></h2> <p>Betts will go into next season as the favorite as the best player in the conference. The scary part about that is he is only heading into his sophomore season. His ceiling is extremely high, and he showcased a large repertoire in his freshman season. Betts is 6’6 and still growing and is starting to understand his body a bit better. Betts establishes position down low, uses his size for rebounds, and also has a great feel inside. Betts averaged 12.6 points a game and was active on the boards all season long. He protects the rim, uses his length, and will only continue to get better. Highly anticipated season for him where he can show what he is all about.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917012" first="Kyle" last="Miller"] – Pueblo East</strong></h2> <p>Miller was one of the most balanced players in the conference a season ago after putting up 10.7 points and 4.8 rebounds a game. On a team that made it a point to crash the boards and win the rebounding battle, he fit in seamlessly, and that is why the Eagles relied on him so heavily. Miller was one of the team’s most important players because of what he brought to the team. Interior toughness, contagious defense, and also the ability to score when needed. Pueblo East relied on Miller to provide, and he made it happen. He is a two-way player that gets after it and will build on a strong season.</p> <h2><strong>Kyle Bigley – Pueblo Central</strong></h2> <p>Bigley was one of the most consistent players last season that went a bit overlooked. He steps into stock boosting territory when looking back on the season as he was able to help the Wildcats in their winning season and played exceptionally well in league play. Bigley put up 12.3 points a game and was a force on the boards as well. Bigley is undersized for a forward but makes up for it as a rim runner that outworks the opposition, stands his ground defensively, and boxes out. Bigley has a great motor, feel for the game and is a natural scorer that gets to his spots to score. He should be better in his junior season as he finished up the sophomore year on a tear.</p> <h2><strong>Jaxson Herring – Pueblo East</strong></h2> <p>Herring is a multi-sport athlete and tenacious defender. He is a physical player who uses his strength to the best of his ability and plays with heart. He battles on both ends and was the team’s X-factor and the reason that wins kept coming. Herring was the team’s best rebounder, and he used that to give his team extra scoring opportunities and do all of the dirty work. Herring’s work on the boards gave him easy clean-up buckets; he ran the break well and could play as well as defend multiple positions. Herring averaged 12.5 points and was just shy of seven rebounds a game, and if he gives that same effort this season, Pueblo East will win the conference.</p>