PREP BASKETBALL: John Hardin to host Valentine's Shootout (02/08)

Not only is Bryan Todd looking forward to coaching at his alma mater, but the veteran John Hardin Lady Bulldogs coach is looking for another solid installment of the Duke’s Sporting Goods Valentine’s Shootout.

The fifth-year event moves to East Hardin Middle School, where Todd graduated from in 1978, on Saturday and features a loaded schedule of five games.

“I am excited about the opportunity to coach at the high school I graduated from in 1978,” Todd said. “If you like girls’ basketball, you need to come early and stay late. You have five really good games lined up.”

Action gets underway at noon as host John Hardin (19-7) meets Pleasure Ridge Park (20-6) – one of the top teams in the 6th Region.

The next game features top-five teams in No. 1 Marion County (27-0) and No. 3 Henderson County (19-1) at 1:45 p.m. Only two state teams – No. 6 Louisville DuPont Manual and No. 9 Louisville Mercy – have been within 15 points of the Lady Knights, while the Lady Colonels have won 10 straight.

No. 7 Elizabethtown (18-6) faces No. 11 Clay County (20-5) at 3:30, while Nelson County (20-5) meets Whitley County (16-6) at 5:15. LaRue County (19-5) takes on Lexington Bryan Station (14-8) in the final game at 7.

“We have another great field of teams and match-ups,” Todd said. “When you have good teams, good players, good coaches and good match-ups, you have some great games. We are looking forward to a great day.”

In other action this weekend:

 North Hardin hosts Marion County in a doubleheader tonight. The boys’ game starts at 6 followed by the girls’ game. The teams have another doubleheader on Saturday with the Lady Trojans playing Ohio County and the boys’ team meeting Louisville Holy Cross.

 The Elizabethtown Panthers (13-10) host the Bardstown Tigers (21-6) at 7:30 tonight in a battle of preseason 5th Region favorites. The Panthers play at Warren Central (19-6) at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

 John Hardin (19-3) plays at Jeffersontown (11-12) at 7:30 tonight. The Bulldogs are riding an 11-game winning streak.

 The Central Hardin Bruins (10-11) host Bardstown at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, while the Lady Bruins welcome Adair County (19-7) at 6 p.m. Saturday.

 LaRue County plays at Taylor County in a doubleheader tonight. The girls’ game starts at 6 followed by the boys’ game.

 Fort Knox has two doubleheaders – at Hart County tonight and at North Bullitt on Saturday. The boys play first tonight at 6:30, while the girls’ go first Saturday at 6 p.m.