article BluegrassPreps.com John Hardin Bulldogs Sweet 16 Team Preview (5th Region Champs)

Season Recap

The Bulldogs of John Hardin are going back to Rupp. This is their first appearance since winning the 5th Region in 2013. John Hardin ended the season with a 28-7 record. Out of the 7 losses 5 of those teams have been ranked top 20 in the state sometime this year. The Bulldogs are a high scoring team as they average 75 points per game. They only give up 61 points per game. John Hardin had a region record of 15 and 2 this year. To get to state they beat a very good Larue County team 48-46. Larue County had 3 losses on the year and 2 of them were against John Hardin. John Hardin was preseason favorites to most and they showed people they were right as they were the best team all year. The Bulldogs will play Pikeville in the State Tourney. Pikeville is the winner of the 16th Region and has a record of 24-9.

Starting 5

Mickey Pearson 6’8 G Senior- Pearson averages 25.7 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game. He was voted 5th Region player of the year. A Saint Louis commit, his shooting ability at his size makes him a nightmare for opponents and his length is something you just don’t see in high school.

Malik Wright 6’4 G Senior- Wright averages 15.1 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. He has been a legitimate second option for the Bulldogs. Wright was probably the best athlete in the 5th region, and defensively he can really guard when he’s locked in.

Alex Matthews 6’4 F Sophomore- Matthews averages 10.0 points per game and 10.1 rebound per game. Matthews is a force inside as he is a great rebounder. You don’t hear his name mentioned much but he does all the dirty work for John Hardin.

Aaron Scott 6’0 G Junior- Scott averages 8.1 points per game and leads the team by shooting 76.4 percent from the free throw line. Scott is another good athlete for the Bulldogs. He is capable of getting hot from 3 and when he does watch out.

Jachai Walker 6’0 G Junior- Walker averages 7.5 points per game and shoots an amazing 58.5 percent from 3 on the year. Walker runs the point for John and leads them in assists this year. He isn’t a flashy player but just gets the job done.

Is depth a weakness? Their team picture shows nine players.

Is depth a weakness? Their team picture shows nine players.

They didn't have a strong JV this year....they'll play 8, but there is very little drop off if any from 5-8. If you think about it, most teams only play 7 to 8 players. JH just made the decision to only dress 9.

To further add to the great write up from Sportslover32...

JH as a whole is very long. Their defense will switch everything...and they will contest everything near the basket. Offensively they rely alot on Pearson, not because they have to, but more because Mickey can flat out score.....which makes them dangerous because other teams key on Pearson alot. If he wasn't on the team, you'd hear alot more about Wright and the sophomore Matthews.

I don't think the game will be a blowout just because it's so difficult to shoot in Rupp. But I do think the Dawgs come out on top.