The 17th District has proven over the years to be one if not the most competitive districts in boys Kentucky basketball and this year doesn’t look any different. During the 1990’s when Ron Bevars North Hardin Trojans ruled with an iron fist and James Haire’s Elizabethtown Panthers winning the State Tournament, there have been several seasons in which Bardstown, Adair County, Caverna and Taylor County have forced some interuptions since 2004, but the 17th district has shown it can field four very competitive teams in the three Hardins’ and Elizabethtown and no matter who graduates not much really changes.
Elizabethtown looks to be the odds on favorite to repeat as 5th Region Champion returning most of it’s core talent and an offense that can score points quickly and a defensive press that can create them just as fast still looks very effective. Jaquais Franklin, Alandre Murphy, Kam and Khia Sherrard and Camden Williams all provide senior leadership and a bench of Jacob Moberly and Camran McNeil keep the machine moving.
John Hardin looked like they were going through a transition year after losing three top scorers from the past two Region Champion teams, but that looks like a long time ago as new stars are emerging from the Bulldog universe. Jalen Tyus has shown a flair for scoring and Devon Rogers one of the top scorers in the area. Darius Williams is a strong rebounder as is Amareion Doctor and Anthony Bowen is another starter that can run the floor and press.
Coming off a couple down seasons, the North Hardin Trojans look like a team ready to make the next move towards a contender for the next step. After losing three starters through graduation and another who chose not to, coach Mike Cofer has a very strong core along with some youngsters with height and length. Junior Queshaun Davis is the leading scorer and is the best three point shooter on the team, while Shaun Boykins, Jujuan Williams and Marcus Scisney can score and play defense as well. Also Kerron Blizzard and Ayden Evans are getting valuable playing time as well.
Central Hardin, much like North Hardin lost plenty of scoring and experience from last season’s team, but they have done a marvelous job of retooling with youth and experience. The Bruins may be 2-3 currently, but they have been in every game so far and with a team with only one senior, there is plenty of room for improvement. Landon Elmore has emerged as the team’s top scorer and has been getting help from Hayden Ash who is an emerging star. Preston Keith, Brett Decker and Carter Robinson are getting plenty of playing time as well and coach Matt Nickell has some height to deal with as this year’s Bruins are tough.
So how does this all play out come district tourney time?
So far John Hardin pulled off the biggest surprise with an early win over Elizabethtown, but a rematch in March could change that and North Hardin dropped a tough game to the Bulldogs, but rebounded with a close win over Central Hardin. Tonight Elizabethtown and North Hardin square off and the Panthers have been off since January 15th. John Hardin looked great until CAL pulled off a tough win over them after the Bulldogs hadn’t played since being off for ten days. John Hardin faces North again next week and have yet to face Central Hardin. Meanwhile the Panthers will still play Central Hardin twice and John Hardin and North Hardin once more.
Elizabethtown may be the favorite to reach late March, but has history has shown, nothing is quite for certain in the tough and crazy 17th district where there really are no games off and every one is an adventure.
