Five 1A bigs who have stood out in the first few weeks

<p>Most teams have played at least three games at this point, with some playing as many as six. With it being a condensed season, players must get off to a hot start. Here are five bigs that have turned heads so far.  </p> <h2><strong>Antoinio Cordova – Primero</strong></h2> <p>That 1A Fishers Peak league is Primero’s to win. They have seemed to be in a groove and are blowing teams out as they prepare to run the table, and it is their talented seniors who have led the way. Their best player is their senior big, Antonio Cordova, and opposing teams have had difficulty trying to corral him in any capacity. Cordova has gotten off to a great start at 19.0 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. He has had his way with smaller players, is immovable on the block, and moves well. He has great hand-eye coordination and makes smart reads to get to his spots on the floor, and has knocked down some 3-pointers along the way as well. The Bulldogs must continue to go through him as I know that he will deliver.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="917020" first="Damien" last="Barnes"] – Eads</strong></h2> <p>Your Eads Eagles are 4-0 to start the year, and it is because they have a solid bunch that plays for one another with a talented big man in the middle to build around. Barnes has been a sensational presence on the block for the past few seasons and rebounds with the best of them. Barnes plays well above his size, is athletically gifted, and is as strong as an ox. He is a player that can back players down, get out in transition and has a great understanding of where shots are going to fall, and cleans them up for easy scoring opportunities. He is at 16.7 points and 7.0 rebounds a game, and I am actually expecting those numbers to rise here soon. Barnes has a high IQ, moves well on the floor, and with him at the helm with his younger players stepping up, they have what it takes to compete with everyone. He has been a great big to follow through the first few games.</p> <h2><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="965778" first="Assane" last="Diop"] – Belleview Christian</strong></h2> <p>Diop is not only the best player in all of 1A in only his sophomore season, but he is one of the most coveted players in the state. Having this kind of size and talent does not come around often, and with him being in 1A, it just seems unfair a lot of the time. Diop is a 6’10 point-forward that can do ANYTHING on the basketball court, and for a player averaging 14.8 points, 17.0 rebounds (state-best), and 7.8 assists a game, I feel bad in saying that his game is bottled up. Half of the game is spent not getting injured with smaller players undercutting him and trying to navigate their way. He grabs every single rebound, alters almost every shot, and passes up easy scoring opportunities simply to get other players involved. He is a walking triple-double that is not often challenged enough, and what we’re experiencing is something special. Any team has a chance with him on the floor so expect Belleview Christian to make some noise. He is the player of the year and has only been five games. No surprise that the Bruins are 5-0.</p> <h2><strong>Justin Pollart – Caliche</strong></h2> <p>Caliche has gotten off to a rocky 2-3 start, but their senior big man Justin Pollart is not the player to blame. Pollart has done his job and then some as he has put his team in positions to win, they just have not capitalized. Pollart has averaged double-figures in rebounds for the season and has a game where he grabbed 20 boards. He is at 10.5 points and 14.5 boards a game on the year, which puts him amongst the top in the state and continues to dominate on the boards. He is a rim runner that understands where the ball is coming and keeps the ball high, and goes right back up with it. Pollart can space the floor and always has to be accounted for as he gives his team plenty of scoring opportunities.</p> <h2><strong>Tyler Wytulka – Nucla</strong></h2> <p>Wytulka will be in elite company if he continues at this pace. By the end of his senior season, he will be at 1,000 points scored and also have 500 rebounds to go along with it. He has been a bruiser big body that corrals loose rebounds, boxes out, and goes to get it. His activity also creates additional scoring opportunities for teammates. Wytulka has been a constant force in 1A, and although his team is not playing to their ability, they have a chance with him on the floor. He is averaging 23.8 points and 13.0 rebounds a game to go along with it, just put up 31 points and 14 rebounds in a loss, and seems to be getting better. I expect him to have more explosive games and the rest of the team catch up to what he is putting down. He is a player I expect us to revisit in the next couple of weeks.</p>