Central Hardin Bruins
2019-2020 Record: 13-15
Since Matt Nickell took over the Central Hardin Basketball program from long standing head coach J C Wright, the Bruins have made two apperances in the Region Tournament. Last season was a down period with a 13-15 record and an early exit in the quarterfinals of the District Tournament. Nickell, who has done a fine job during that time simply has the difficult task of being in the same 17th District as Elizabethtown, John Hardin and North Hardin which seem to take turns ruling not only the area, but the 5th Region as well.
With the departure of Gavin George, Chase Elmore, Deounco Wilkerson and Shaun Hay, the Bruins will look very different and a lot younger, too. Sophomore Hayden Ash was the team’s third leading scorer (247-points) and may be the only returning starter. Sophomore Preston Keith should get more playing time as will Junior Mason Thompson, who was the team’s fourth best rebounder (80). Junior Landon Elmore and sophomore Adam Hobbs should be in the mix along with senior Logan Nelson.
Central Hardin will open up things January 12th against South Oldham and by the time the district schedule starts, Nickell should have a better idea of where he and the Bruins stand in the playoff race.
Central Hardin Lady Bruins
2019-2020 Record : 19-11
After taking over for Demond Thomas after the 2012 season, Kristina Covington-Jones went through some lean years not to mention three straight six-win seasons to start off with. The Lady Bruins had always been a sign of excellance under legendary coach Terry Buckles and the 2016-2017 season (14-14) was the first sign that things were getting turned around. Finally in 2018-2019, Central Hardin saw some light at the end of the tunnel with their first Region Tournament appearance since 2006 (which was also their last Region Final appearance as well) and last season’s 19-11 record was evidence of the continued maturity of Covington-Jones Lady Bruins.
This season, the plan isn’t just to get there, but do some damage along the way. Central Hardin has been built much like Buckles old Region Tournament contenders with a defensive presence and a consistant offensive strategy. For the past several seasons, Emily Bryant was one of the main figureheads of the powder-blue offense. With her, Madeyln Ditto and Jayden Anderson gone, there are other options.
Juniors Monica Lindsey and Alyssa Lindsey were one-three in scoring (516-points and 284-points) and Alyssa was the top three point shooter on the team last season. Sisters Kaniya Kendericks and Kaiden Kendericks were big contributors scoring 159 and 149 points and Kaniya was second on the team in rebounds. Sophomore Katie Gray and senior Krista Cecil will get plenty of playing time this season and junior Morgan Covey and senior Paige Gray will see the floor as well.
With the regular season pushed back to January 11th, the Lady Bruins will get tested early with Nikki Coleman’s John Hardin Lady Bulldogs and then two days later Bardstown will being town. Covington-Jones will get a better idea of what to expect with those two games just before the season gets much more interesting.
