Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Left: Senior Trent Rutledge looks to pass to an open teammate during a game earlier this year. At six feet tall, Rutledge is one of the tallest players for the Longhorns.
The Kimball High boys are adapting to the fast paced style of basketball that coach Luke Dea and his staff are wanting them to play, and despite a lack of height, the Horns are 3-and 3 at the Christmas break. Almost every time out they are facing teams with more height, but they make up for it by playing a pressure type defense, moving the ball fast on offense, and taking their shots, with a bevy of good shooters.
The Horns have scored 357 points and are averaging 59.5 points per game. They have allowed the opponents 292 points and 48.6 points per game. Kimball is shooting 35% from the field and 66% at the foul line. Despite the lack of height they go to the boards strong averaging 29.7 rebounds per game. They also average 13. 7 steals per outing and 11 assists.
Coach Dea uses a rotation of 7 players plus additional inputs from other younger players off the bench. Three players are averaging double figure scoring led by Jordan Greenwood at 12.3, Jaden Withrow and Tyler Magninie both at 10.7. Magninie leads the team in 3 point fielders at 13. Greenwood has 7 and Withrow 5. All of the Horns are capable outside shooters as Brandon Barker also has 5 treys and averages 7.5 points. Angel Flores has 4 treys and averages 5.3 points. Trent Rutledge, Izaak Reuter, and Kole Bush have all nailed treys. Creg Barker averages 6.8 points and Rutledge 3.8, and these two are the tallest players for Kimball at 6'1" and 6'0" listings. Barker leads the team in rebounds with 33, followed by Rutledge and Magninie with 32 each, and Greenwood with 27. Greenwood leads in steals with 19, Rutledge has 14, Flores 13, and Brandon Barker 12. Flores has the most assists with 19 followed by Magninie with 12.
The Kimball boys are fresh off a 54-41 win at Bayard and had a good showing at Hershey the game prior before losing to the Panthers because of a size difference and some red hot shooting. One thing for certain, the Horns give a good effort each time out and coach Dea said, "That's all we can ask of our guys, to give it their all each time out."
Kimball will return to action on January 7 at Sidney to face one of the state's better Class B teams. The next night they go to Mitchell and another tough assignment with some tall inside players, then on January 9 Chase County comes to Kimball with a solid club. A tough start to the new year for certain.