New Hancock coach looks for the right blend of experience and youth
This winter, Harris will find out how good he is at getting that information across to those on the court.
The assistant coach at Hancock last season, Harris succeeds Mike Wersching in the position of head coach. Harris said he's been looking forward to being a head coach for a long time."I'm really excited to have my own team," said Harris, 29. "I've been around some good coaches and programs a few years. I look forward to bringing the good parts of all those programs together."
While Harris is very familiar with the Tigers' personnel, it won't be quite the smooth transition he envisioned. Due to graduations and relocations, just two players off last year's roster are back for the 2007-08 season, only one who started.
"The rest of our girls are so young," Harris said. "We're going to be much more athletic and quicker than we were last year. Our inexperience will show at times, but we're going to be fun to watch."
Hancock rooters are familiar with one player to watch: speedy guard Brittany Conners. The 5-3 junior is known for her pressure defense and ballhandling ability. She averaged 6.7 points per game, 2.5 assists and 3.5 steals and led the squad in 3-pointers with 20.
"Brittany was in more of a defensive role last year," Harris said. "This year she is going to be our scorerÂ….. She is the kid that when the game is on the line, the ball is going to be in her hands."
Returner No. 2, post player Jasmine Butler, is a 6-foot senior who played behind standout Tammy Thomas most of last season. Butler played in just 14 games and averaged less than two points and 3.5 rebounds.
Harris is hoping good friends Conners and Butler will mesh well together. He'd love to see the duo approach the inside-outside, high-scoring tandem of Antania Williams (11 ppg) and Tammy Thomas (18.5 ppg).
"I expect us to be very competitive in our conference," Harris said of the traditionally weak South Central Athletic Association. "But we won't have the big guns (Williams and Thomas) we had."
Harris would like to see Butler contribute 10-12 points, and 8-10 rebounds a game.
To go with the veterans, Harris has an athletic group of underclassmen led by 5-6 freshman guard Jordin Mitchell. A versatile backcourt player, Mitchell will play the two-guard while Conners runs the point.
Freshmen Kalup Scarim (6-0) and Chassity Hickman (5-9) will vie to start at center. Scarim, the more physical player, is adept close to the basket. Hickman, a super athlete, has a bit more range on her jump shot and also has a nose for the ball.
For now, the fifth spot has gone to sophomore Joanna Stratman (5-5). But there are several players ready to step in, including 5-6 sophomore Melody Davis, one of the most athletic Tigers. Junior forward Heather Crider (5-9) should also see some time there.
The Tigers opened the season Monday night at Affton in the South Side Classic. Hancock is the No. 5 seed, and faced No. 4 seed Summit after the Journal went to press.
Hancock wound up 21-5 last year, but its losses were to established teams such as Cor Jesu, Metro and Mehlville.
"Those were pretty legitimate losses," Harris said. "I'll be super-pumped if we can approach that record again."
