Last Saturday at the Hobbs Tournament, Gadsden High School boys basketball coach Michael Harper won his 700th game in a career that has spanned 37 years in El Paso and New Mexico.
Harper has brought about instant credibility to the Gadsden program. In 2004, he helped lead the Panthers to a state tournament appearance, a District 3-5A Tournament championship and a near-win in the quarterfinals of the state tournament against Rio Grande from Albuquerque.
He also led the Panthers to a spot in the 2005 state playoffs and this year the team is 7-7 having played a tough schedule.
Of course, Harper gives credit to his players for winning 700 games. When I talked to him on Wednesday about his 700th win, he emphasized that point.
There are some who don't like Harper's style of play, which can be slow at times. But Harper does a great job with his teams in terms of getting them to play as a team and building around his team's strengths.
Gadsden has struggled to be a factor in New Mexico High School basketball, but in recent years he's had some nice wins and respect is now a word associated with Gadsden basketball. The Panthers have beaten Albuquerque Academy and Hobbs in the past few years and nearly sprung an upset of Albuquerque Highland last week at the Hobbs Tournament. Highland, which went on to win the tournament, is widely regarded as one of the favorites to win the 5A boys title in March.
Harper's 700th win was a significant accomplishment for the 59-year-old coach, hopefully he'll get to 800 and beyond while still at Gadsden.
— Felix
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2 comments:
Thanks for giving Gadsden and my father a write-up. Call the play slow if you like, but it is more akin to how the game was played before "up tempo" became the way to do it. Dad is an excellent coach, who would probably have multiple State Championships if he coached at any of the larger schools in the district. He chose Gadsden because he believes in the kids and the community. You would have to either be from the area, or know my father to understand what that district tournament win in 2005 was really like, or what it meant to that school. It brought back creditbility and the idea that they could play with...and beat anyone.
No worries on winning 800...he'll probably coach until he physically can't do it anymore...its in the man's blood. Thanks again for the post.
Brian Harper
Brian, i played for your dad back in the 90s at Jefferson high school. Greatest coach I've ever played for. How is he doing?
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