12-09-2011, 03:21 AM
The North Hardin boysâ basketball program has had some bad luck and just unimaginable situations over the last few years.
This year, though, might be the worst compared to the others.
In 2006, Chris Tharpe transferred to North Hardin only to be ruled ineligible by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. The following year, James and Jamarious Sykes moved to Georgia prior to the start of the season.
North Hardin started to feel the affects of John Hardin, which opened in 2001 and took away from North Hardinâs talent pool. Plus, Coach Ron Bevars had to deal with players transferring, players not being eligible and just some not coming out for the team.
Then came the unthinkable. Prior to the 2009-10 school year, Cameron Irvin, who was entering his junior season, was struck and killed while riding his bike with family members. Irvin was on the verge of stardom and his loss left a huge void in the Trojan family.
The program, though, picked up the pieces to win the 5th Region championship that season. It was a Hollywood ending to what had been an emotional season. James Berry, Nigel Phelps and Rolando and Roosevelt Emerson were responsible for getting North Hardin back where it thought it belonged.
The momentum from their region-record 12th title was short lived. During a preseason scrimmage against Louisville DuPont Manual at Louisville Male last year, Jermaine Ruttley broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, forcing him to miss the entire season. It was unfortunate, because like Irvin, Ruttley was on the verge of becoming something special. Those dreams of winning back-to-back regions were shattered as well.
This season began with renewed hope. The Trojans were considered one of the preseason favorites in the region. But it seems to be flickering now. Last week, the Trojans learned Ruttley has a stress fracture which will sideline him at least three weeks. Thatâs a major blow because Ruttley is such a difference maker.
The Trojans, who are 1-1 without Ruttley, looked like they could weather the storm. If anything, it forced the inexperienced guards to grow up quickly. Plus, Ruttley wasnât going to miss the most important part of the year â the postseason.
In a matter of days, things went from bad to worse. Five Trojans â seniors Jauan Akins, Sam Coachman and Duwayne White, junior Lucas Scott and sophomore Marty Williams â were suspended indefinitely after what the school is calling âa violation of team rules.â The season is only in its second week and all seems to be lost for the Trojans.
Ruttleyâs injury is unlucky to say the least for a player who worked so hard to get back on the court. Those things happen. The incident with players getting kicked is harder to deal with. This was a dumb decision by all involved â and thatâs putting it mildly. They not only hurt themselves â some had opportunities to play after high school â but they cost their team and their school in what can be described as a selfish choice.
Now, the rest of the Trojans are left to pick up the pieces and salvage this season. Ruttley will be back which will supply a big lift. Senior Adam Hendrix is one of the best post players in the region. Now players like Ravon Russell, Scotty Sterusky, Darrin Martin, Tyler Landry and others will have to shoulder a bigger load. Are they ready for that? Probably not, but their teammates left them no choice when they put the program in this position.
North Hardin was the program in the region. From 1990-2003, the Trojans completely dominated the region, winning nine championships in 14 years. They capped the run with three consecutive titles.
Those days seem so far away now. North Hardin has only one region championship in the last eight years.
That trend doesnât look to change this year as a region title looks improbable thanks to more bad luck and more tales from the inconceivable.
http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/con...s-bad-turn-127
This year, though, might be the worst compared to the others.
In 2006, Chris Tharpe transferred to North Hardin only to be ruled ineligible by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. The following year, James and Jamarious Sykes moved to Georgia prior to the start of the season.
North Hardin started to feel the affects of John Hardin, which opened in 2001 and took away from North Hardinâs talent pool. Plus, Coach Ron Bevars had to deal with players transferring, players not being eligible and just some not coming out for the team.
Then came the unthinkable. Prior to the 2009-10 school year, Cameron Irvin, who was entering his junior season, was struck and killed while riding his bike with family members. Irvin was on the verge of stardom and his loss left a huge void in the Trojan family.
The program, though, picked up the pieces to win the 5th Region championship that season. It was a Hollywood ending to what had been an emotional season. James Berry, Nigel Phelps and Rolando and Roosevelt Emerson were responsible for getting North Hardin back where it thought it belonged.
The momentum from their region-record 12th title was short lived. During a preseason scrimmage against Louisville DuPont Manual at Louisville Male last year, Jermaine Ruttley broke both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, forcing him to miss the entire season. It was unfortunate, because like Irvin, Ruttley was on the verge of becoming something special. Those dreams of winning back-to-back regions were shattered as well.
This season began with renewed hope. The Trojans were considered one of the preseason favorites in the region. But it seems to be flickering now. Last week, the Trojans learned Ruttley has a stress fracture which will sideline him at least three weeks. Thatâs a major blow because Ruttley is such a difference maker.
The Trojans, who are 1-1 without Ruttley, looked like they could weather the storm. If anything, it forced the inexperienced guards to grow up quickly. Plus, Ruttley wasnât going to miss the most important part of the year â the postseason.
In a matter of days, things went from bad to worse. Five Trojans â seniors Jauan Akins, Sam Coachman and Duwayne White, junior Lucas Scott and sophomore Marty Williams â were suspended indefinitely after what the school is calling âa violation of team rules.â The season is only in its second week and all seems to be lost for the Trojans.
Ruttleyâs injury is unlucky to say the least for a player who worked so hard to get back on the court. Those things happen. The incident with players getting kicked is harder to deal with. This was a dumb decision by all involved â and thatâs putting it mildly. They not only hurt themselves â some had opportunities to play after high school â but they cost their team and their school in what can be described as a selfish choice.
Now, the rest of the Trojans are left to pick up the pieces and salvage this season. Ruttley will be back which will supply a big lift. Senior Adam Hendrix is one of the best post players in the region. Now players like Ravon Russell, Scotty Sterusky, Darrin Martin, Tyler Landry and others will have to shoulder a bigger load. Are they ready for that? Probably not, but their teammates left them no choice when they put the program in this position.
North Hardin was the program in the region. From 1990-2003, the Trojans completely dominated the region, winning nine championships in 14 years. They capped the run with three consecutive titles.
Those days seem so far away now. North Hardin has only one region championship in the last eight years.
That trend doesnât look to change this year as a region title looks improbable thanks to more bad luck and more tales from the inconceivable.
http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/con...s-bad-turn-127