James Haire had heard it all. It was tough to win their first 5th Region Championship since 2005 and never get the opportunity to play in the 2020 KHSAA State Tournament because of the pandemic. He’d accepted condolences from everyone who knew him and the team, but it still didn’t seem to make much sense.
Now he had to deal with a shutdown in practice just before the regular season was put on hold until 2021 of all things and had a veteran group of kids that included eight seniors and most were starters. Also, it didn’t help that Elizabethtown would be heavy favorites to not only challenge for the 2021 Region title again, but win it and make a strong run into the KHSAA State tournament as well. So when the season finally did start, his Panthers not only nearly ran the table (losing only twice), but looking exceptionally dominating as well and would have to figure out a way to keep them grounded psychologically as well.
So there he stood, the head coach near the goal that his team had savaged scoring 39-points in the second half and pulled away from a 33-33 tie at halftime to finally win, 72-63 for their second straight Region Championship.
Ironically, this one wasn’t easy by any means, but it started out that way. The Panthers bolted out to a quick 13-3 first quarter lead behind their quick strike inside game by Alandre Murphy, Jaquais Franklin, Kam Sharrard and Camden Williams. In fact, the John Hardin Bulldogs, their opponent were ice cold from the floor until Devin Rogers and Jaylen Tyus woke them up.
The Bulldogs were previous Region Champions two seasons before the Panther reign until Bardstown ended that last season in an overtime loss. While the Panthers were senior wise, the Bulldogs lost their top three scorers from last season. The two teams met three times previously and split during the regular season with John Hardin putting the first loss on the Panthers record and then Elizabethtown returning the favor in the first week of March after overcoming a 14-point deficit. The Panthers took the District title by a wide margin, but everyone know one game meant nothing in the scheme of things and things got really interesting during the Region Tourney as both teams nearly saw their seaosns come to a thunderous end.
The Bulldogs were nearly eliminated in the first game as LaRue County had them down, but the John Hardin escaped with a 47-45 win on AJ Doctor’s last second putback. Elizabethtown saw themselves eight points down entering the fourth quarter of the Final Four against a stubborn Bardstown team, but rallied to overcome that and win, 67-55.
But back to the game at hand. Elizabethtown held on to their lead during much of the second half even though the Bulldogs kept pulling closer at 19-16 and then 30-28 thanks to several threes by Bowen and Rogers. In fact, Rogers long shot at the buzzer tied things up at 33-33 and it looked like John Hardin despite a horrible shooting half was back in it.
But then Elizabethtown did what great teams always do when they are challenged: They Responded.
James Haire’s team has a certain mental toughness that comes with eight seniors and they went on a 22-13 run in the third quarter highlighted by 12-points by Franklin. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs cooled down again and if not for Bowen’s 10-points it could have been worse. The Panthers took a 55-46 lead into the fourth quarter and it looked like it was over. It was far from it.
The Bulldogs, who never led once during the game went on another run jumpstarted by three’s by Bowen and Rogers cutting the lead to 64-61 with 2:45 remaining, but Elizabethtown held on to finally win it, 72-63.
After the team posed for a trophy photo, Franklin sat on the floor and took time to reflect on the moment just how far this team and he and come from three seasons ago when he and his other seven seniors were just a bunch of freshman waiting for the next present group of Panthers to graduate so they could move up to varsity. Maybe he also flashed back to the feeling he had when they won their first Region Title last season and the disappointment when the State Tournament trip was cancelled.
Now he and his team can start new memories as their journey will continue with a Wednesday morning game against Knott County Central at Rupp Arena.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will have a long time to ponder “What Might Have Been.” They did play to the best of their abilities and made a game of it after losing so much scoring from last season and before you feel sorry for them remember this. John Hardin has made five trips to the KHSAA State Tournament since 2006 and they have lost of returning starters for another run next season.
During his post game interview, Coach Haire gave credit to his players and their ability to overcome and survive in such difficult situations. This will be his first trip since 2005 and the third in 21-seasons including their State Championship in 2000. He knows how to get a team there and his knowledge of preparation will most definitely be important preparing his team who has never been there or done that. But unlike 2020, this trip should be a lot of fun for both he and his guys, who will finally get their chance the second time around.
