BOYS’ POW: McNeal still leading South Side to the top of the district

As the defending Class AA state champions, the South Side boys’ basketball team has a target on its back against any opponent.

The Hawks are a different team this year though as three key players graduated and one moved to Florida.

Chris McNeal, a Western Kentucky signee, is the lone returning starter. But McNeal has South Side playing at a high level, and he has the ability to take over when needed.

McNeal did just that on Thursday as he scored 30 points in a win over Liberty. He finished with 48 points on the week.

The South Side schedule was set up for McNeal and Malik Hicks (now at Arlington Country Day, Fla.) to be on the court. The Hawks played some top-level teams and took a few losses through those games.

South Side is currently on a four-game winning streak with one game remaining against Ridgeway before the Christmas break.

McNeal has played like an NCAA Division I level player all season. He has kept composure and stepped out as a leader with some inexperienced players on the court.

Scoring is not the only thing that McNeal can do though. He also averages over five assists per game and also grabs some rebounds and steals.

If South Side is going to have a chance to defend its district and region titles this season, McNeal will need to continue to be the leader that he has been through the first 13 games of the season.

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Other standout performances

Tristan Anthony,

South Gibson

Anthony scored 68 points in three games as the Hornets beat Trenton Peabody and Madison.

Tucker Campbell,

Adamsville

Campbell scored 55 points as the Cardinals picked up wins over McNairy Central, Clarksburg and Riverside.

Dalton Weaver,

West Carroll

Weaver scored 63 points in three games for the War Eagles against Greenfield, Big Sandy and Huntingdon.

Jack Surber,

McKenzie

Surber scored 52 points as the Rebels picked up three wins over Lake County, Bruceton and Big Sandy.

Garrett Sams,

Westview

Sams scored 44 points in wins over Kingsbury and Harding Academy to advance to the championship of the Harding Academy Tournament.