The funny thing about the high school basketball season in the 17th District is that for the first time in years there is really no clear-cut favorite in either the Boys or the Girls.
The Boys usually have featured either Elizabethtown or John Hardin the past five years and this time around there seems to be a logjam at the top.
Elizabethtown has struggled early (2-3), but has currently won eight of their last nine (the only loss to Oldham County). With strong performances by Ayden Evens and Jujuan Williams, the Panthers look to stay close.
Central Hardin has also rebounded after a slow start and were cruising until their last second loss to North Hardin. The Bruins were 3-0 in the district before that last second disappointment. Guard Brett Decker is playing like an All Star and Ace Jagger has been a capable outside shooter. Jakob Frederickson is the team’s leading rebounder.
North Hardin could be the big surprise after several subpar seasons, the Trojans have played strong competitive basketball with a flair for the dramatics with back-to-back last second wins over Hart County and Central Hardin. Coach Mike Baffour’s team is currently 2-0 in the District.
John Hardin may be the biggest surprise, but after winning the Region for the third time in five seasons, the Bulldogs have struggled after nearly losing an All-Star team and are currently rebuilding around Andre Smith and Jake Owens.
Fort Knox is actually in fourth place with their win over John Hardin and are getting strong play from Allston Leggette and Maurice Bonner.
Things will get very sticky as the season progresses as North Hardin and Elizabethtown square off Tuesday (for the first of two meetings). The Trojans still have two with John Hardin, a return match with Central Hardin before playing the Panthers for the second time.
Elizabethtown still must face Central Hardin and a chance to atone for the wild overtime loss back in December.
The Bruins will face North Hardin and the Panthers once more and then John Hardin and Fort Knox to help set seeding for the District Tourney.
