The South Hardin boys basketball team, 3-2 early in the season, is establishing its identity by relying on defensive pressure and balanced scoring as the Tigers close the first part of their schedule.
South Hardin has picked up wins over AGWSR, Jesup and Gladbrook-Reinbeck by playing with defensive discipline. Head Coach John Phillips says that discipline creates offensive opportunities.
“When we play as a team and our defensive intensity and we’re disciplined, we have really good athletes and our defense has been really good this year,” says Phillips. “So when we have that, it puts a lot of pressure on their offense and usually we get some steals or deflections or put them in a spot to take some really tough shots. And then our transition game from that, ya know, running and gunning were really good at that.”
Offensively, the Tigers have shown balance, with multiple players contributing on any given night. Clayton Cable has been active on both ends of the court, leading the team with 19 steals while also pacing South Hardin with 15 assists. Adrian Balderas has provided a spark from the perimeter, shooting 50% from 3-point range. Sam Benson continues to lead the team in scoring with 81 points, giving the Tigers another consistent option.
South Hardin now heads into the holiday break before returning to action Jan. 5 against Sumner-Fredericksburg.
