Area stars explode for huge games after break

This season on the hardwood has brought many terrific individual performances.

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Jim Hull at Augusta Prep has been lighting up the scoreboard all season. He is averaging just under 30 points per game and boasts a 43-point effort earlier this season.

Cedric Boatner has emerged as one of the area's premier scoring threats for Harlem High. He has posted several 24-point outings and is averaging 19 points per game.

Andy Gray has had some big games for Greenbrier. Even Deronte Williams, who averages about eight points per game, poured in 29 in a game before the holiday break.

Since the holidays, however, the number of huge scoring outbursts has skyrocketed, so obviously area coaches got on Santa's knee and asked for a new year filled with 20- and 30-point performances. Here are some of the big games since Christmas:

Girls

Elizabeth Alewine (Augusta Christian)

Alewine has had several big games in the past month. She posted 23 points in a pair of wins against Sale Creek and St. Joseph, and she exploded for 29 in a victory over Augusta Prep. Alewine has become a safe bet to garner postseason all-county honors.

Laura Kupold (Augusta Prep)

Kupold has been known for her scoring ability, but lately she has stepped it up a bit. She knocked down 24 points in a win vs. Curtis Baptist, and she boasts a 29-point effort in a victory over Briarwood Academy.

Ebony Wells (Harlem)

Wells and her sister, Nicole, are two of the top players in the county. Ebony recently had a 23-point effort for the Lady Bulldogs.

This underclassman has a chance to be one of the best players in Columbia County.

Boys

Jonathan Nicely (Evans)

Nicely is a serious candidate for county player of the year honors. I have always thought he might have been the most talented. Of late he has started to post the numbers to go with his big talent. He has outings of 30 points and 24 points since Christmas.

Mike Leverett (Harlem)

Harlem's top scorer Cedric Boatner was out of the lineup in a recent game, so Leverett stepped up by knocking down 24 points in a loss to a very good Thomson team.

Tyler Bourdo (Augusta Christian)

Bourdo is one of the top three scorers in the county. He is extremely consistent and a safe bet to score 17 to 21 points every game. In a recent win over Westminster he piled in 26 points.

Andy Gray (Greenbrier) and Jim Hull (Augusta Prep)

Both have continued their work from before Christmas. Hull pumped in 30 points in a win against Briarwood, while Gray had 26 as the 'Pack beat Jefferson County 55-45

Hopefully, the fireworks can continue into the playoffs.