The Southport High boys basketball team celebrates after a tournament victory.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Simpson
It’s been a long climb for Kyle Simpson and his
Southport (Indianapolis) boys basketball team.
In Simpson’s first season as head coach in 2012-13, the Fighting Cardinals went 1-19. They improved vastly to 15-8 last year and this season, not only are they off to a 9-0 start as of Monday but they are No. 17 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings.
Paul Scruggs, Southport
Photo courtesy of Kyle Simpson
"From day one my staff and I have worked to change the culture of the
program. Southport has had a history of being successful, and we have
been reminding them of that every day. The big key for us so far is the
buy-in by our team," Simpson said. "A wise coach once told me 'If you don't care who
gets the credit, we can have success.' The team has a pretty good
relationship on and off the court, and I think it shows in our play.
"It's a great honor to be recognized on a national stage, and a tribute
to the hard work of our players and coaches. This is something we don't
talk much with the team. Our target was big already with some of the
success we have had early on this season, and with being ranked
nationally it makes it that much bigger."
Southport, which has won 21 sectional titles and two regional championships but no state crowns, was challenged twice early in the season by Ben Davis and Bloomington South, winning 55-52 and 66-61, respectively.
Since then, they’ve won six games handily to earn honors as the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week, presented by the Indiana National Guard.
The Cardinal is led by the trio of senior
Malik Bennett (18.0 points per game), junior
Joey Brunk (17.6) and sophomore
Paul Scruggs (15.3).
"Malik Bennett is a three-year starter in our program. I think the biggest
thing in his success is how much he has grown not as a player, but a
person. He plays with a high motor, and I think he is a very underrated
guard in the state of Indiana," said Simpson."Paul's game
is continuing to develop. While he has the body of a senior, he is
only a sophomore. He has handled the ball more at the point this year
than last. He, like Malik and Joey, has a high motor and loves to
compete. All three kids are gym rats. They are constantly working on
their game."
From left to right: Paul Scruggs, Joey Brunk andMalik Bennett.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Simpson
Brunk, a 6-foot-10 post, is ranked the No. 88 junior recruit in the country by 247Sports. He averages almost 10 rebounds a game and has received offer from Butler, Indiana, Iowa and Michigan State, among others. He’s shooting 68 percent from the floor (57 of 84).
"Joey Brunk is a second-generation
Southport Cardinal. His father Joe Sr, played here in the late 70s. Joey
is a player that continues to improve every time he steps on the floor.
This season he has battled a lot of double and triple teams, but I
believe he has been very patient, and has continued to grow," said Simpson.
Bennett and Scruggs have combined for 55 steals, which have led to numerous easy buckets. Both are shooting better than 50 percent from the floor.
"I think the biggest thing that has pleased in the early going is that
these kids love to work in practice and get better. We are by no means a
finished product yet, and they still are hungry to get better," Simpson said.
