He excels on court, in class

Just the name alone is motivation to strive for success, according to Homewood-Flossmoor guard Excell Hardy. “That’s also my father’s name, and I guess my parents wanted something really unique for me too,” Hardy said. “I always get little comments about my name, and they’re usually positive.” Hardy is averaging 18 points, five rebounds and four assists for the top-ranked Vikings and was named MVP at the Proviso West Holiday tournament after leading H-F to the title. Hardy had a worried look on his face when his Humanities teacher called him to the front of the class last year while the teacher was handing out graded papers. “Don’t worry,” Chris Keegan said, “you’re excelling in my class.”