Written by Chris O’Dell
Midnight Madness usually signals the start of basketball season at Harding. It informs every basketball fan at Harding that the first tip-off is only weeks away.
However, for several players Midnight Madness officially begins their career as a Bison basketball player.
Freshman Jordan Layrock might not be as familiar to Rhodes Rowdies as Trent Morgan or Kevin Brown just yet. However, with the show Layrock put on in front of a packed crowd Thursday night, No. 40 might become the next familiar face on the basketball court.
The 6-foot-6-inch forward stole the show with several dunks that might rank among the all-time bests during a Midnight Madness dunk contest. Layrock had the thousands of Harding faithful in a frenzy with several dunks that went for perfect scores.
“It was amazing to see the crowd’s reaction,” Layrock said. “People running out on the court, the judges chunking the score cards in the air … there’s no way to explain the way the crowd erupted.”
After already successfully completing a windmill dunk off the backboard and a between-the-legs dunk on one attempt, Layrock attempted something never before tried at Midnight Madness.
The Poyen, Ark., native took a Weston Jameson pass from the top row of the upper level in the Rhodes Fieldhouse to complete a dunk that would seem nearly impossible before seeing Layrock complete it. Just in case you missed it or weren’t impressed with that dunk, Layrock said you might not want to miss next year’s dunk competition.
“Next year is going to be even better,” Layrock said. “Me and my teammate that threw the ball from the top row of Rhodes are already working on new ideas for next year.”
Layrock can definitely fly. The only question is: Can he put that athleticism to good use and make significant contributions during big games for Harding? The Bison newcomer has learned almost everything he knows about basketball from his father, who was Layrock’s high school basketball coach.
“I think that having my dad as a coach helped me learn the tools I needed to become the best I could have been in high school,” Layrock said. “Because not only did I get coached on the court but on the drive home as well. So it definitely prepared me for the next level.”
The biggest question will be Layrock’s size. At 6-feet-6, Layrock only weighs 185 pounds right now. However, if he bulks up early in his career, he might significantly improve his chances at the college level.
“I think that depending on how my weight gain goes will be the deciding factor as to whether I redshirt this year or not,” Layrock said. “If I don’t redshirt, then I think I will definitely be on the court.”
The Bisons could use some big minutes out of a new player this year. With teams like Delta State and Arkansas Tech picked ahead of the Bisons in the Gulf South Conference West Division preseason poll, the Bisons will need all they can get out of Layrock to significantly improve on an 18-12 mark last season. If you ask Layrock, the Bisons might be flying under the radar in their own conference.
“I know our team is better than third in the GSC,” he said. “We are too scrappy and too good of scorers to not be in the top two. Plus we have great senior leaders and a talented team. The sky is the limit for us this year.”
Despite what preseason polls may say, head coach Jeff Morgan has gotten the best out of his players in the past. Layrock said Morgan has already earned his respect as a basketball coach and as a person.
“He doesn’t treat you like a dog if you mess up or make you feel one-foot tall,” Layrock said. “He just explains what the best way for you to change what you did, and that’s probably the thing I respect him the most for.”
Layrock said the biggest thing he has learned so far from Morgan has been how to change his game from a high school standout to being better at the college level.
“College is more about being efficient than being flashy,” he said.
Whether Layrock’s role this year is on the court or redshirting to learn more about the collegiate level, the Bisons should have someone to fire the team up this season.
“I am definitely going to try to get the crowd fired up whenever I have chances to,” Layrock said. “There is nothing like having the crowd go crazy. So I can’t wait until I get a chance to do something like that in a game.”
If the freshman forward continues to do what he did Thursday at Midnight Madness, the crowd will have a lot to cheer about.
