High School Sports

Tuesday night’s pivotal 17th District clash matched strength against strength – North Hardin’s power inside game against Central Hardin’s perimeter attack.

Both teams did what they do best, but the Trojans size advantage proved to be too much. Senior Chris Sterusky and junior Adam Hendrix combined for 44 points – all inside the 3-point arc – to offset 12 Central Hardin 3-pointers and post a 72-65 victory at Bruin Gym.

Freshman guard Tajah Haley scored 14 points and the John Hardin Lady Bulldogs held East Jessamine scoreless in the second quarter en route to a 70-30 win in the first game of the Pinkham Lincoln-Mercury Christmas Tournament at John Hardin.

Haley also had seven steals, four assists and three rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs (4-3), who led 33-6 at the half.

Freshman post Zacchea Small chipped in with 12 points, while sophomore post Michelle Montgomery added 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Central Hardin Bruins had been in this position three times already this season as visiting 17th District rival John Hardin built a double-digit lead in the early going Tuesday night at Bruin Gym.

Much like in their first three games, the Bruins figured they had plenty of time to pull off another come-from-behind victory.

John Hardin senior guard Malcolm Foster would have none of it. Foster hit six 3-pointers and finished with a career-high 36 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 82-66 win. It was Central Hardin’s third straight loss after a 3-0 start.

With junior starting point guard Jermaine Ruttley hospitalized in Louisville and likely done for the season, the North Hardin Trojans plan on using a by-committee approach to handling the ball.

Whether senior Trevino Coney keeps the job or the Trojans continue with a divide-and-conquer tactic, this much is certain – get the ball to Jordan Brangers.

The sophomore shooting guard scored a career-high 30 points, mostly on assists from Coney, and the Trojans opened the season with a103-66 win Friday against visiting 17th District rival Fort Knox.