By GREG MENGELT

Despite its youth, South Central had high expectations for itself coming into the 2021-22 season.

Through nine games, it didn’t look like the Rebels’ expectations were going to come to fruition. But last week, South Central showed why it had those expectations with wins over rival Lanesville and Mitchell.

“We’re young, no seniors, and lack a bunch of experience, so it was good to get two wins the way we did this weekend,” South Central veteran head coach Greg Robinson said. “We were able to step up the defense at the end of each game. We held both teams scoreless in the last four minutes of each game, so we’re learning how to finish off good efforts.”

The Rebels shot 50 percent from the field and the 3-point line in Friday’s 57-50 win over the Eagles. Ty Jones led the balanced South Central attack with 14 points. Cole Thomas added 12 points and seven rebounds, Christian Kiper had 10 points and five rebounds, Kole Stewart contributed nine points and five boards and Ethan Hedden finished with seven points and seven boards in the county rivalry game.

On Saturday, the 4-7 Rebels went 20 for 36 from the floor and 8 for 13 from deep. Kiper and Thomas finished with 18 points apiece in the win.

“We shot 53 percent from the field for the weekend and I believe it was due to our shot selection,” Robinson said. “We did a really good job of passing and of moving ourselves into positions that allowed us to be successful.”