The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 15, 2012

Hadyn Herlocker signs to play basketball at PSU

By Mark Schremmer Globe Sports Writer

GIRARD, Kan. — For Girard Trojans girls basketball coach Brad Herlocker, this wasn’t a typical signing.

Herlocker wasn’t only proud about seeing one of his players advance to the college level. He also was a proud father.

Hadyn Herlocker, Brad’s daughter and all-state point guard for the Trojans, signed a letter-of-intent to play basketball for the Pittsburg State Gorillas beginning in 2013-14.

“It’s a special situation where she’s not only a player for me, but she’s also my daughter,” Brad Herlocker said. “I remember at a very young age going out and teaching her all the fundamental things. I remember having to drag her in from being outside and saying, ‘Hey, Hadyn, it’s dark outside so come on in.’ To see her to be able to realize this goal is great.”

Herlocker, who will open her senior season with the Trojans on Nov. 30 at home against Iola, earned at least honorable mention all-state recognition in each of her first three seasons. Last year, she was named to the Class 4A first team by The Topeka Capital-Journal and The Wichita Eagle.

The 5-foot-6 guard averaged 19.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.3 steals as a junior to help the Trojans to an 18-6 record and a trip to the 4A state tournament.

“God was very kind to Hadyn,” Coach Herlocker said. “She’s a very athletic kid. I guess she was fortunate enough to have me teach her at a very young age. But really, it’s been all her. She has put the time in necessary to become a very fundamentally sound basketball player, and she’s had great influences coming up with her teammates.

“She really doesn’t have much as far as weakness. She’s a very good ballhandler. Size may be her biggest detriment, but she’s such a good ballhandler that she’s able to create space for herself in any situation. She also has a very nice outside shot.”

Herlocker will be joining a Pitt State program that had its most successful season in school history last year under coach Lane Lord. The Gorillas, who were ranked No. 3 in the WBCA national preseason poll, finished 27-6 last year and reached the Elite Eight.

“Ever since I was a little girl I’ve dreamed about playing at Pitt State,” Hadyn Herlocker said. “I’ve been going to camp there since I was 8 years old. It was just a dream come true to be offered a scholarship there to play.”

With her college choice out of the way, Herlocker now will focus on having a successful senior season at Girard.

“I want to make it back to state this year, because my teammates are my best friends and are like family,” she said. “I just can’t imagine not playing with them anymore, so I just want the season last as long as possible, get the most out of it as we can and reach our full potential.”

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