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Timing is right for return of Flivver coach

Girls Basketball

LISA HARRY

KINGSFORD — The question has been answered. Lisa Harry is returning to girls basketball.

“I use to get asked all the time, “Are you ever going to get back into basketball?” Harry said. “I’ve always felt I wanted to give it a go again if the timing was right.

“I have a passion for basketball and that will never change, it’s part of my DNA.”

When Mike Cross stepped down as Kingsford High School varsity girls basketball coach after this past season, Harry put her name in consideration with two other candidates.

“When the job became available and I discussed it with my family, they were all very supportive and wanted me to go for it,” she said. “I actually felt the timing was perfect for me. My three boys are all very independent and don’t require as much of me. I feel like I will have the time and energy needed to dedicate myself to the program and not feel guilty about being away from home.”

Harry guided the Flivvers for seven seasons from 1997 to 2003, posting 100 wins in 150 games with two Great Northern Conference titles and a district crown.

“The main reason I left the program was because my kids were little,” said Harry, referring to two-year-old Reid and four-year-old Luke. “I felt like I was being pulled in multiple directions. Every minute I was away from my kids to coach my heartstrings were being pulling painfully hard. Then on top of all that the basketball season was in the fall during the same time Jeff was coaching football, something had to give.”

Her husband, Jeff Harry, is a Kingsford varsity football assistant. Lance rounds out the three Harry brothers.

“All that has changed now, kids are more grown up and Jeff and I will not be coaching during the same season,” she said. “I am really excited to bring back my competitive fire and be a positive female role model to the girls and sport of basketball that gave so much to shaping who I am and who I’ve become.”

Lisa (Roell) Harry, a former North Dickinson County School star who went to play at the University of Minnesota, entered the UP Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Don’t look for Harry’s strategy or approach changing much from those past KHS seasons.

“I’ve always believed basketball players are made in the off-season not during the season,” Harry said. “Mike Cross and all the lower- level coaches have done a great job in developing players in the off-season and I need to continue that.

“I strongly believe this has a lot to do with the success you will have during the season. We have to continue to dedicate some time in the off-season. I also believe you have to develop an offense around your team’s strengths.”

Harry will get a better idea of the team’s prospects this summer.

“Once I get the girls in the gym this summer and I can assess their strengths and build up the weaknesses, then I can start scheming,” she said. “Teaching all parts of the game with a plan, purpose and structure is also very important to me.”

For the past few seasons, Harry has been watching basketball from a spot close to the court. She’s been the official in charge of the scorebook.

“I think you will see my personality come through a bit when coaching,” Harry said. “I like to coach how I like to play the game and that’s gritty and fearless. You can’t be afraid to attack the rim and have some intensity at times.”

A former UP girls basketball career scoring leader with 1,897 points, Harry knows full well about a well rounded team.

“My favorite saying in basketball is ‘offense sells tickets, defense wins games and rebounding makes the difference, and if you do all three well, you can win championships.’

“I hope we are able to create some ticket sales because that would mean our offense is pretty good and that is the part of the game that excites me the most in coaching. Then add some grit, hustle and heart and anything is possible.”

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