When former North Hardin girls basketball coach and current basketball analyst Whitney Hooper said that “Having the top seed in the upcoming girls District Basketball Tournament would be important this season”, she wasn’t kidding.
Not since 2009 when there was a dog fight between three teams at the top (Elizabethtown, Central Hardin and North Hardin) has the (17th) District seen such parity.
John Hardin, which has been a power player for several seasons before falling on hard times, has seen a resurgence with third year coach Nicki Coleman, who has balanced scoring from guards Destiny McAllister and Sharon Tidwell along with inside threat Xaviera Smalley. The trio along with Parker Paris came up big with an early win over Elizabethtown.
Elizabethtown has struggled at times this season despite returning all five starters from last season, but coach Donnie Swiney’s teams 6-9 record can be deceiving as it has come against Top Twenty and area powerhouses. The Lady Panthers feature senior outside shooter Sarah Clark, guards Janiesse Amstrong and Brooklyn and Ashlyn Cann.
North Hardin has been a very pleasant surprise with a 10-4 record and their 3-0 start in the District which has included wins over Central Hardin and Elizabethtown in consecutive games. New coach Vonce Isom has gotten consistent play from guards Paityn Isom, Dez Bryant and outside shooter Ella Scherer and the inside threat of Destiny Scott. North Hardin has done much of this while missing two starters in Jerica Johnson and Destiny Barnes.
Central Hardin has struggled after losing most of their starting lineup from last season, but Kristina Covington-Jones has found some consistency in guards Juliana Stith, Khania Jones and Allie Link to go along with Katie Gray. The Lady Bruins lost nine-of-their-first twelve games before winning their last two and pulling off a big win over John Hardin.
Fort Knox actually has been very consistent with a 5-6 record and should stay in the race as it continues.
So currently North Hardin will put their 3-0 district record on the line this Thursday when they face Elizabethtown for the second time and then two against John Hardin and Central Hardin once more.
Elizabethtown and John Hardin will square off once more and then face Central Hardin as well.
