Tigers' Delph makes up for lack of height

At 5 feet 11 inches and 155 pounds, Central senior Ryan Delph is not physically imposing.

But when Delph laces up his shoes and hits the court for the Tigers' boys basketball team, he displays all the physical attributes of an all-district guard. Delph's speed, agility and leaping ability helped him score nearly 15 points a game last season, making him one of the top guards in Southeast Missouri.

"His first step is so explosive," Central coach Derek McCord said. "He's got one of the most explosive first steps off the dribble I've ever coached."

Delph will lead Central against Lindbergh in the finale of the Tiger Shootout at 4:30 p.m. today at Central. Earlier games include Scott City versus Jackson at noon, followed immediately by Fredericktown against Oran, and Notre Dame against Jennings.

While not the tallest player, Delph is one of the top leapers in the area. During the Tigers' season-opener against Riverview Gardens, Delph took the ball off the dribble and dunked over two taller defenders.

"I don't know where it came from; it all came at once," Delph said of his leaping ability.

Delph's dunks are often crowd-pleasers at Tiger games. He has racked up six dunks in 14 games.

"I try to get one every game to get the team motivated," Delph said. "It seems like if Scott or I get a dunk, the momentum changes."

"Scott" is 6-8 junior center Scott Chestnutt, who leads the team with 16.6 points a game.

This season Delph is averaging 13.6 points for the 11-3 Tigers. Against Kennett earlier this season, he nearly single-handedly led the Tigers to victory, scoring 17 of his career-high 28 points in the second half. Even with such scoring potential, the senior has only led the team in scoring three games this season. Delph attributes that fact to the number of weapons the Tigers possess.

"I know everyone can step up and they've showed it," he said. "If I'm not on, I can step back and let them do it."

Along with Chestnutt, who also led the Tigers in scoring last season, junior Eli Harris has emerged to take some of the scoring responsibilities away from Delph. But the senior is still the one who typically makes the Tigers tick. Delph has scored in double figures in about half of Central's games, and when he's not scoring, he's contributing in less visible ways.

"The difference in Ryan Delph is he's matured so much in all areas of the game," McCord said. "He's the ultimate team player. He helps us in so many ways. He's a good rebounder, a good passer and a good defender."

Delph, who plays the two-guard position, is a threat nearly anywhere on the court. Whether he's posting a smaller guard up, shooting a 3-pointer, or taking his man off the dribble, there are few weaknesses in his game.

Delph said because he was never the tallest player on the court, he knew he had to excel in different areas.

"When I was young, my dad always talked about working at every position," he said.

With the contributions of Delph, one of five returning starters, Central has the chance to have its best season since the 1979 state championship year, when the Tigers went 22-4.

"We may as well go out with a bang," Delph said.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171