The South Hardin boys basketball team is headed back to a district final for the first time since 2023, following a 67-52 win at home over Woodward-Granger in a Class 2A district semifinal on Friday.
The Tigers by driving the rim and a 15 point first half by Sam Benson built up a 31-24 lead entering halftime. The Tigers applied a full-court press and increased on-ball pressure in the half court to increase their lead into double digits at 53-41 entering the fourth quarter. The Tigers outscored the Hawks 14-11 in the final quarter to close it out. South Hardin Head Coach John Phillips shares the difference makers that helped the Tigers to earn advancement.
“We’re a physical team, we’re an athletic team. As long as we have all the buy-in and the boys are locked in, I truly believe we can play with anyone. We have to make sure that our energy level is up and we’re giving it everything we got on defense,” says Phillips. “Ball pressure really made the difference in the game. We got them turning the ball over a lot and then our defense turned it into easy offense. We were able to hold them off there in the fourth quarter.”
Sam Benson ruled the paint with 26 points and Owen Larson added 23 points to lead the Tigers.
South Hardin will travel to Kuemper Catholic for a Class 2A district final on Tuesday, February 24.
