Despite loss to Artesia, Seahawk basketball on solid foundation
Mike Sciacca, Independent
Jim Harris has experienced a lot of highs, as well as a few lows,
during his 22 years as the head basketball coach at Ocean View High, but
it’s the perspective in which Harris places those triumphs and tragedies,
including last Saturday’s 83-46 loss to top-seeded Artesia in the CIF
Southern Section Division II-A championship game at the Arrowhead Pond,
that ranks him among the best in the coaching business.
“It was discouraging to perform the way we did, and it was really
disheartening to have the final score turn out how it did. Luckily, we
have a chance to redeem ourselves,” said Harris, whose Seahawks (29-3)
traveled to Bakersfield Tuesday to take on Central Section Division II
champion Foothill (19-12) in the opening round of the State CIF
Basketball Tournament. “We needed to crash the boards and limit our
turnovers against Artesia -- two things we did not do.”
Although the 2000 Southern Section title game didn’t turn out the way
Harris had hoped, the past four years have been wildly successful for a
program that is anchored on a solid foundation. Included during that span
is the school’s first-ever section title (Division IIIAA) in 1998, and a
semifinal appearance in ’99.
Despite the loss to Artesia, the 1999-2000 Golden West League champion
Seahawks have already established a new school record for most wins in a
single season.
But, for Harris, his coaching tenure, he says, has been enjoyable beyond
the wins and losses. It’s bound by the relationships he forges with his
players, past and present.
“You know, a reporter once asked me after we won our CIF title in ’98 if
it was the pinnacle of my career. I flat out told him, ‘no’,” Harris
said. “I think the reason why I’m still coaching is because of the great
kids I’ve had come through this program. It’s those relationships that
I’m most fond of. Sure, I enjoy coaching the game, but everything’s
enhanced by the relationships I’ve built here.”
In fact, Harris said that if he had to name his favorite team, it would
be the 1993-94 squad that finished 14-16 overall, yet qualified for the
Southern Section playoffs, won its first round game, then took top-seeded
Glendora to the wire before losing.
“Each team has it’s own personality, it’s own limitations, to a degree,”
Harris said. “Based on what it can do, I will judge a team on its ability
to overachieve, go beyond what it’s capable of. That’s why that ’94 team
is so special. It wasn’t expected to do much, and it achieved much more
than anyone thought possible.”
As Harris finished his statement and the interview was about to wrap up,
two former players, including all-CIF guard Tony Dow from the 1998
Southern Section championship team, walked through Harris’ classroom
door.
With that, Harris, who said he’s not looking to retire anytime soon,
broke into a wide smile.
Some relationships never can be broken, win, or lose.
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