El Toro's Ryan Hardy Works at Courting Success, Then Nets It

Though he's very tall and, at times, can be quite an intimidating presence in the paint, what strikes you most when watching Ryan Hardy play is his speed -- how quickly he gets up court on a fast break.

And basketball isn't even his best sport. Hardy, a senior at El Toro High, recently signed an NCAA national letter of intent to play volleyball at Pepperdine. At 6 feet 8, he is expected to compete for a starting position at middle blocker as a freshman.

But in the meantime, he and his Chargers basketball teammates have some unfinished business to tend. After finishing third in the South Coast League, El Toro (15-11) opens the CIF Southern Section Division 1A playoffs Wednesday at 7 p.m. by playing host to Sante Fe (11-5),  an at-large entry from the Del Rio League.

Hardy's maturation into one of Orange County’s top centers has been a gradual process, beginning with recreation-league play in the fifth grade.

“It definitely took me a while,” Hardy said of developing his court skills. “I was just getting into basketball, so I was kind of a little awkward with the ball. But by the time of my freshman year, I was getting the hang of things.

“The first things I got comfortable with were hand-eye coordination and movement. Post moves probably came last. In the beginning, it was more about being quicker and balanced.”

Hardy steadily grew into an all-around player who can create off the dribble, pass to open players, pull up for jumpers or drive to the hoop. He's also adept at blocking or altering his opponents’ shots. Hardy averages 16 points and 1 1/2 blocks per game and is his team’s leading rebounder. His field-goal percentage is off the charts at better than 60 percent.

“Ryan ranks up there as one of the top five or six best centers that we’ve had,” said Todd Dixon, in his 15th season as El Toro's coach. “He’s having a great year. What he’s been able to do really well this year is he’s been able to finish at the basket. That’s been a great strength of his because that’s been something that he needed to work on and he did, and he’s improved in that dramatically. He’s also a really good shot-blocker."

A three-year varsity member and two-year starter, Hardy, who also boasts a 3.5 grade-point average, is no stranger to hard work and dedication, which he has seen pay off.

“My freshman year, I was just getting rebounds. I was just the kid that was taller than everyone else," he said "Now, I feel like I’m a diverse player. I can work in some post moves, and I can run the court and I can create for our team on offense. I have more of an all-around game.”

Hardy scored 31 points on 10-of-13 shooting and had 13 rebounds in a 65-53 victory over San Juan Hills on Jan. 21, but he said his favorite moment of the season came Jan. 7, on his 18th birthday, when teammate Cody White hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to upset visitng Capistrano Valley, giving Hardy and his teammates what he called "a nice birthday present."

Hardy had received attention for his basketball skills from, among others, Colorado, the University of San Diego, Pacific and New York University, but the letters and e-mails stopped coming after Hardy committed to Pepperdine in December.

“He was kind of geared toward volleyball,” Dixon said. “I think some of the basketball coaches backed off because they heard about him playing volleyball. He definitely would had opportunities to play basketball.”

That doesn't surprise Ryan’s mother, Kathy Hardy, who said her son has always enjoyed playing a variety of sports.

“He is ready to go for sports all the time, He always knows what he needs to do, he’s always giving his all,” said Kathy, who was a triple- and long-jumper when she attended La Quinta High School in Westminster. Ryan’s father, Chris Hardy, played defensive end for Southwestern College in San Diego.

“I learned how to play volleyball during my freshman year,” Hardy said. “I enjoy both sports exactly the same.... During volleyball season, I’d be sneaking off and playing basketball. During basketball season, I’d play club volleyball. It was always year-round, I’d be playing both sports.”

Last season, the Chargers' boys volleyball team finished 10-13-2 overall but struggled to a 2-8 record in the Sea View League. Hardy had 263 kills and 118 blocks -- the seventh-best block total in the nation, according to Maxpreps.com.

El Toro boys volleyball coach Chris Lee said Hardy is certainly one of the best players he has had in his seven years at the school.

“He’s definitely the most physical I’ve had,” Lee said. “He has the most upside. His quickness and his height is what makes him special. He has skills you can’t teach because he’s so athletic.... We're expecting a lot from him."

Hardy will be joining a men’s volleyball program at Pepperdine that has sent 44 players to the Summer Olympics. The Waves' coach, Dr. Marv Dunphy, has won nine NCAA men's national championships and is considered the "John Wooden of volleyball," according to Hardy.

UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State also expressed interest in his volleyball skills, but his mind was pretty much made up after his first official visit to the Pepperdine campus, which sits on the cliffs overlooking Malibu. Hardy said he is interested in majoring in business with a minor in agriculture.

“It’s always been a longshot dream of mine to own a winery,” he said. “I went to Bass Lake near Yosemite. I thought I’d love to live up there. I’ve also been to Napa Valley. I love the atmosphere.… I’d also like to go overseas, see if I can play pro [volleyball].”

Now that's thinking positively, something that has not always been Hardy's strong suit.

“I think his mental toughness has improved a lot,” Dixon said. “His sophomore year and some of his junior year, when things didn’t go well he hung his head sometimes, and this year, he’s grown up and realized that he’s a leader.

"Off the floor, he’s set that example. He gets down on himself hardly at all any more. He’s really matured in that aspect.”

There's nothing but upside for Hardy, who has courted, and and now netted, success.