The game played in Landin Hacker’s old stomping grounds earlier this month seemed the ideal opportunity for the Center Grove senior to feast statistically.
A 6-foot guard, Hacker, a student in the Jennings County school system from kindergarten through his freshman year, was back inside the Panthers’ gymnasium on Jan. 9. Though not an engraved invitation for Hacker to attempt to take advantage of every open look, some might have viewed it that way.
Instead, Hacker attempted a season-low three field goals and dished out a game-high eight assists as the Trojans rolled to a 59-38 victory.
This is who Hacker is.
“That is a credit to his unselfish character. Landin kind of takes what the defense gives him,” said Trojans coach Zach Hahn, whose team takes a 7-3 record into tonight’s game at Ben Davis after winning the Johnson County tournament title last week. “Late in games, we know we want the ball in his hands to make plays for us. Landin has always been a big shot taker. A big shot maker type of playmaker for us.”
Hacker averages a team-high 13.4 points a contest this season, proving especially clutch inside opposing gymnasiums.
He poured in 25 points in a 73-68 win at Pike — the first time a Center Grove boys team won on the Red Devils’ hardwood — and, more recently, tallied 22 in the team’s triumph at Whiteland in the opening round of the county tournament.
Hardly his team’s most imposing player physically at all of 165 pounds, Hacker plays with a fearlessness born out of years of always wanting to prove his worth on a basketball court.
“I just always play with a chip on my shoulder,” Hacker said. “I’ve been overlooked all my life, but I know I’ve worked just as hard as everyone else. Me and my team, we have to keep going, because last year we didn’t have the greatest season. We want to keep that flow going and just keep winning games.”
Hacker maintains a 3.9 grade-point average and would like to study to become a physical therapist once in college. His lone scholarship offer at this point is from Trinity Christian, an NAIA school in the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights, Illinois.
As for his role on the court, Hacker can play either guard position.
“At the start of a game, I’ll mostly start as a 2, and if Marcus (Ankney) or Mason (Long) are in, they’ll bring the ball up,” Hacker said. “Our whole team is pretty skilled, so any of us can bring the ball up and start our offense.”
Virtually automatic at the foul stripe (85.4%), Hacker gives himself plenty of opportunities with his willingness to challenge bigger, stronger defenders.
“Landin has really expanded his game. He’s always been crafty with the basketball, but he’s more willing to drive in now on 6-10, 6-8 guys and draw fouls,” Hahn said. “He’s very unorthodox in the way that he plays sometimes, and I think it throws people off. When he’s moving within our offense and he’s making plays, that’s when our offense really takes off.”
