August 28, 2009
Harris headed to Maine
Michael Jordan once said, "I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."
El Cerrito High’s Alex Harris makes no claims to being Jordan-like but he is embracing what he needs to do to earn a Division I scholarship and that involves heading east and continuing his hard work.
post-grad Harris will garner more offers
The 6-foot Harris enjoyed a solid senior year -- leading the league in scoring at 15.6 points per game and finishing second in assists with three and in steals with 2.5 each time out -- for the Gauchos, who posted a 16-10 overall record. St. Mary’s, among others, displayed major interest. However, Harris just couldn’t quite get the score he needed for his eligibility despite hammering away at the SAT.
But rather than lament his lot and sulk, Harris mapped out an alternate plan. He will be attending the Bridgton Academy in Maine, a private school that serves only high school post graduates. The curriculum includes earning transferable college credits as well as SAT preparation. The basketball team goes up against college junior varsity teams and top prep school teams in the northeast. It’s coached by Whit Lesure, a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame whose teams have won four New England Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A titles in the last five years.
This change of address will also definitely expose Harris to college coaches on the other coast who may not have seen him play.
"My goal is to get a D-1 scholarship and to earn a 3.5 grade point average," Harris said, when asked about what he wants to accomplish in 2009-2010.
Phil Handy, Harris’ Team 94 coach, said, "Alex dominated in our last couple of tournaments this summer and a lot of coaches were asking about him. He has come a long way and he’ll have plenty of interest."
Harris added, "I’ll be playing at the one and the two spots at Bridgton." With the reach of someone 6-foot-8, opponents are going to feel the wrath of his defensive effort.
Other Bridgton Academy attendees include Wayne Hunter, a Valley High graduate (Sacramento) now a senior at St. Mary’s, USF’s Rashad Green and Lawrence Moten, Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer.