John Hardin has four years’ worth of “big game” experience heading into its biggest game of the year — a Thursday showdown with Lyon County in the UK Healthcare Sweet 16.
After several years as an assistant coach, Austin Jones took the head coaching gig at John Hardin last year. The first year result was a 25-9 record and the school’s first Sweet 16 berth in three years. He said he likes where his team is at heading into Thursday’s opener against the 2nd Region champs.
John Hardin was 35-0 heading into its last Sweet 16 appearance in 2019 but lost to Campbell County in the first round. Since then, the Bulldogs have won a pair of Class 2A state championships — an event similar to the All A Classic for those “tweener” schools that aren’t considered large schools but are too large for All A purposes.
Last year’s team lost to Elizabethtown in the region championship game before getting its revenge with an overtime win over the Panthers in this year’s title game.
Jones said he thinks his team’s resume has them ready for this year’s Sweet 16.
John Hardin will be tasked with stopping Lyon County guard Travis Perry and his 27 points per game average. But its the Lyon County inside game that concerns Jones more.
Lyon County and John Hardin will meet Thursday afternoon at 1:30 eastern time.
