Kirkland showed exactly why he’s the senior leader this team leans on. The steady ball handler controlled the tempo, organized teammates and made sure everyone was in the right spots offensively. When the moment called for it, he took over. He poured in 19 points, surpassing the 1,000 career point mark in the process, and delivered the dagger late. With AC mounting a comeback, Kirkland came up with a clutch steal and calmly finished a floater to seal the win and shut the door for good

Pueblo County goes as Kirkland goes. The senior leader has been phenomenal and has his fingerprints on every part of the game. Averaging 18.1 points per night, he sets the tone offensively, but it’s everything else that makes him invaluable. He rebounds in traffic, facilitates for teammates and plays relentless on ball defense. His poise and experience steady the group in big moments, and if he controls the tempo, Pueblo County becomes a dangerous out in the postseason

Kirkland is the engine that makes Pueblo County go, impacting the game in every possible way while setting the tone on both ends of the floor. A true stat sheet stuffer, his numbers jump off the page for a point guard, averaging 17.8 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and an impressive 4.1 steals per game. He’s a complete three level scorer who can hurt defenses in transition, the midrange, or from deep. What really separates him is his leadership and feel for the game where his vision allows him to get to his spots, consistently find open teammates and keep the offense flowing. Defensively he’s relentless, rotating early, forcing turnovers and finishing possessions with rebounds that ignite the break. His consistent two way production, command of the game as a true point guard and ability to elevate those around him are exactly why he continues to climb the rankings

Kirkland has a dynamic offensive game using his quick first step to beat defenders off the dribble and attack the lane with purpose. Once inside he has the body control to finish acrobatically, making tough shots look routine. He’s constantly in motion on offense creating opportunities by coming off screens, relocating on the perimeter, or slipping behind the defense on backdoor cuts to the rim. His relentless movement and ability to score in multiple ways keep defenders engaged and wears them down over the course of a game

Kirkland enters the season as a dynamic floor general for Pueblo County, bringing poise and control to the backcourt. His ability to dictate tempo and break down defenders off the dribble makes him highly effective at getting into the paint, where he can create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Defensively, Kirkland sets the tone with relentless pressure and quick hands, consistently generating steals and forcing turnovers that lead to transition offense. With his combination of playmaking, penetration ability, and disruptive defense, Kirkland is projecting to be one of the most impactful point guards on the court this season

Down in Pueblo County, the guard is quick to find teammates in the fullcourt, rewarding breakaways. Capable of running plays out of ball screens, the guard has been excellent as a primary playmaker.