Hereford has to be the most improved team in Baltimore County. And it's probably not even close. After going 7-16 last year, the Bulls are off to a 10-2 start — the best in Jim Rhoads' 10 seasons as coach at the Parkton school.
"We have played really disciplined basketball and have beaten some good teams," Rhoads said. "Our biggest thing is we are very athletic and run the Princeton offense as well as any team can run it."
How good have the Bulls been?
Hereford — led by senior point guard Devon Young and junior forward Joe Seider — won six consecutive games on the road over an 18-day period, which included two victories against Fallston and one each against North Harford, Carver A&T, North Carroll and Overlea.
Rhoads admitted the most impressive victory didn't come during that road swing.
They savored a rout of visiting Dulaney, 58-39, on Dec. 9, more than anything else.
Hereford teams coached by Rhoads have beaten Dulaney before but typically by not such a large margin.
"Dulaney was probably the biggest win so far this year," Rhoads said. "They are our biggest rival."
If Rhoads had to pick an MVP, it would clearly be Young, averaging 18 points and three assists per game.
Point guards, who can score, are coveted players and a rare commodity.
"He has hit the outside shots and been able to penetrate and score inside when we need him to," the coach explained. "He is just our best ball handler. That's probably the number one thing he does. He gets us out of trouble when teams press us and he runs our offense effectively."
Rhoads also relies heavily on Seider (10.5 points per game).
Forward Jacob Ensor, guard Ryan Swift and center Jack Adams complete the Bulls' starting lineup.
"We run the Princeton offense," Rhoads explained. "Everybody touches the ball. Everybody is going back door. We are screening and cutting and constantly moving."
While the Bulls have had little trouble scoring points, their defense has been just as solid. Hereford is limiting foes to 49 points a game and 10 times the team held opponents to under 40.
Rhoads calls sixth man Brian Clarke, Adams and Hunter Kotchenreuter his best defensive players.
"We have played really solid defense all year long," Rhoads said.