Battles in the Bluegrass travels to Central Hardin High School Friday night January 31st as the Bruins take on cross town rival North Hardin Trojans. The Bruins will look to settle the score after losing to the Trojans earlier in the month by 14 points.
Central Hardin is coming off a big win against (13-5) Marion County 93-71. Marion County currently holds the 4th best record in the 5th Region. The 93 points are the Bruins highest point production this season.
The Trojans are looking to rebound after losing back to back district games against powerhouse Elizabethtown and John Hardin.
Battles in the Bluegrass, South Central Kentucky’s high school sports rivalry series. Here, you’ll find the region’s top four must-see high school football and basketball match-ups of the season. From game recaps and highlight videos to on-site coverage and end-of-season prizes up to $1,000, we follow every “Battle” straight from the sidelines with an in-depth look at hometown rivalries. Why? Because rivalries are more than wins and losses in a record book. And true victories last well past the end-of-game buzzer. Because there are games. And then there are Battles.
To learn more about Battles in the Bluegrass visit www.bluegrasscellular.com/battles
North Hardin vs Central Hardin
North Hardin Trojans
17th District
Players to Watch
It may take a while to set in, but for the first time since 1974 the North Hardin Trojans Boys Basketball team will have a different head coach on the sideline. Now, Michael Cofer will be the new guy leading the second best team in the 5th Region from last season and will have quite a task in replacing all five starters from the previous season. “We are a very young team” said Cofer. “We have one senior in the program right now and he is a transfer from Ohio. We lost 99.9% of our scoring from last year, so that could be a challenge. But what I like about this team is how hard they will work and much they enjoy playing basketball.”
JD Draper is the only returning player, who got any amount of playing time on the varsity squad last season and Cofer will rely on several players including Senior Kevon Davis (transfer) and junior’s JD Draper, Joseph Freeman and Tony Bogle. Overall, Cofer will play up to 10 players during a game while looking for the the most effective combination. “You can never replace a guy like coach Bevars. He has met so much to the school, the program and the community.” Still, there will be a new coach in Ron Bevars Gym and he’ll give it his best effort during this transition period.
Central Hardin Bruins
17th District
Players to Watch
Despite losing all five starters from last season’s team, Coach J.C. Wright may be starting from scratch, but still has a few surprises left from a squad that still returns enough talent to make a serious run in this year’s District race. “I feel that our team will be a team of progression. We have a good group of seniors and a strong group of sophomores that will contribute this season.” Said Wright. “The chemistry is very strong with this group at all levels. Early on, we could have several kids seeing they’re first varsity experience. “Wright believes that the youth on this year’s team will make them very competitive come tournament time. Both Dillon Glen (senior forward) and Jacob Barnes (senior guard) will give the Bruins quality minutes at those positions and they should be the leaders on this year’s team. Football star Justin Rouse will give it a try at point guard and seniors Evan Payne, Quinn Ballard and Noah Lewis will bring qualities that will help them down the stretch. Although a starting five has not been set, Wright likes the idea that it could change depending on performance.
