LONDON HARDIN – MULDROW’S MVP
By Michael Bray
To be called the MVP or “most vital position” of a team is the highest honor an athlete can achieve. That is the moniker that Muldrow girls basketball coach Jana Armer has attached to senior London Hardin.
“She is the point guard, the leader and the quarterback on the court and has a motor that does not shut off,” Armer said. “She gives our team so much energy and pushes her teammates to match her intensity.”
According to the coach, Hardin, who has started since she was a sophomore, has each year added more and more to her game.
“One key for London is to stay out of foul trouble. Right now, she is our leading scorer, and she must be on the court,” said Armer. “London is the ultimate point guard. She does not care one bit if she scores a single point as long as we get the win. She is a leader for us and she knows how to run her team.”
Hardin had to step into the point guard role unexpectedly in her sophomore season.
“It was difficult while playing with experienced upperclassmen,” London said. “I adjusted to the speed of the game, stayed composed, and stopped overthinking, which helped me regain confidence.”
Last season Muldrow beat Ozark in December after a rough stretch. “That game brought us together and showed we were all on the same page,” as she recalled her favorite moment thus far.
She added that competitiveness gives her the love and the drive for basketball because she loves winning and pushing herself to get better every play and every game. In addition to basketball, London also runs track as a sprinter in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash.
London’s mother is her role model. “She has always supported me through both the good and challenging times in sports and life.”
When not on the court the 5-foot-5 senior enjoys working out, being active and eating Raising Canes.
“London is one of the most easy going kids. She is a kid you want to be around because she is constantly making you laugh,” Armer said. “London is a hard worker on the court, in the classroom and outside of school. She is a straight A student who is taking college classes and has a job after school and on the weekends.”
Entering the 2025 campaign, Hardin hopes to help the Lady Bulldogs excel.
“Personally, I want to be more disciplined on defense and stay calm in close games,” she said. “I can improve my defensive footwork and stay connected with my teammates so we play as one. As a team, I want us to go further in the playoffs.”
