North Hardin Trojans (9-8)
Coming off the heels of a 9-8 2020-2021 season, North Hardin’s coach Mike Cofer can’t wait for the regular season to begin and with a great group of returning starters who can blame him. “I really like this team. We have a ton of experience coming back and I think we are deep in all positions. We are going to shoot the ball really well. Our success will come down to whether we can create turnovers, rebound and take care of the ball. Offensively we have the capability to really score with the ball.”
With just two starters lost, Cofer’s Trojans will start off with top scorer senior Queshaun Davis, who averaged 12.8 points and game, led the team in made three pointers and was second in the team with 80-rebounds. Sophomore Shaun Boykins was the second leading scorer with 147-points will be back and junior Jujuan Williams was second in made threes (20) and pulled down 31-rebounds. Senior Dontrell Gregory was an effective post player and pulled down 76-rebounds. Senior Kerron Blizzard was the fourth leading scorer with 101-points. Cofer has several others who will see extended action like senior Charlie Vowels, junior JohNon Lang, sophomore Taveon Smith, Darius Wiley, Jalen Alfonso and several others.
With several of the starters currently playing football, Cofer is preparing for the upcoming season with plenty of optimism. “I have possibly 10-guys that can start at anytime throughout the season.”
That should be enough to forget a nine-win season.
North Hardin Lady Trojans (4-14)
Like the Trojans, the North Hardin Girls basketball team had a season to forget last year as well. Head coach Whitney Hooper’s squad came off one their most successful season’s in recent years in 2019-2020, but graduated it’s top two scorers. Things fell apart early as North Hardin lost their best returning scorer Dezirae Bryant to season ending knee surgery before the regular season started and Hooper was forced to start several youngsters (along with pandemic problems as well), the Lady Trojans were forced to scramble much of the 2020 season going 0-5 then finishing the season on a 4-9 clip. Much like Cofer, Hooper is excited about the prospects of this go around as she returns a healthy Bryant and several starters with plenty of experience from last seasons’ brutal experience.
“I am excited about this team and what they are capable of. Obviously, we lack size inside and will have to use our speed on both ends of the court. We will have to play faster than we have in years past.”
Sophomore guard Paityn Isom had a great freshman year after transferring from Central Hardin and led the team with 259-points and in made three pointers. Junior Ella Scherer had a rough 2020 and should be back and firing again as the team’s top outside threat. Junior Jerica Johnson was a great defender and a good ball handler while pulling down 72-rebounds. Junior Destiny Barnes got plenty of playing time and should be better along with freshman Karlee Adkisson, who made 13-three’s. Senior’s Jayanna Lee, Kiara Loggins (who missed last year because of an injury) and Navaeh Rapheal round out things.
