Caveland Classic @ Edmonson County High School

John Hardin vs. Russellville 12-20-07
By Chris Gregory, Fifth Region Correspondent

This was my second game on the day, and I got to watch a team I already knew something about, the John Hardin Bulldogs. From the opening tap this game was fast and furious. Russellville, from the Fourth Region, must've gotten hold of some game film because they opened up in a 2-1-2 zone, and it threw the Bulldogs off a bit.

Russellville fans told me that the Panthers like to shoot the three. The coach's son, Daniel Pardue, is particularly a good shot from the perimeter. They led at the end of the first quarter 14-12.

When the second quarter started, both teams still had on the afterburners. I watched and wrote about John Hardin about two weeks ago, and they are improving game-by-game. They really move the ball well. Silly turnovers and both teams being unable to find the basket made the quarter a bit boring. Russellville stuck to their game plan: live and die by the three. It just wasn't there on Thursday night. John Hardin took a 23-19 lead in at halftime.

The Bulldogs opened it up in the third quarter. They are so quick, and they create a lot of turnovers by getting into the passing lanes. It gave the Panthers fits. Russellville, still cold from the field, changed to a man-to-man defense. That was what John Hardin was waiting for, and they started running the infamous flex offense. From there, it was just one lay-up after another.

I know a lot of teams everywhere run the flex, and you know it's coming. It's just hard to stop.

Mike Randolph and Chris White led John Hardin to a 37-28 lead at the end of the third.

When the fourth came around, I was tired just watching these guys run. The Bulldogs played some sticky defense on the Panthers, and they still could not find their range. John Hardin was just too athletic. They won the game 59-40 and took third place in the tournament.

OBSERVATIONS

A Friendly Stripe: Russellville couldn't find their range on the perimeter, but they shot well from the free throw line. The Pardue kid was 6 for 6 from the charity stripe.

This Tourney Won't Cave: I had a good time at the Caveland Classic, and I'm glad I chose to start my holiday tournament season in Edmonson County. There was plenty of friendly fans.