Prospect Watch: Gavin Harris (2018)
Class of 2018 point guard Gavin Harris of Jackson is a solid performer who is at the controls of one of the state’s top units.
The 6’2″ Harris likes to play the facilitator role for the Indians as the chief ball handler and passer. But, when there is time for a big play or a big shot, Harris has never been afraid of the moment. He has come through with clutch plays on more than one occasion.
One moment that comes to mind was the championship game of the Vianney Tournament where Harris scored 24 points and knocked down a last-second jumper for the game-winner. In a July game with his SEMO Storm team, Harris went coast-to-coast to score an acrobatic layup at the buzzer for the win.at the NY2LA Next Level Tournament. His biggest moment came in the Class 5, District 1 championship game against Poplar Bluff in March when he sank a last-second 3-pointer in regulation to force overtime. Jackson went on to win its fifth consecutive district championship.
“It’s not necessarily taking the shots,” Harris said. “I want the ball in my hands because I feel I can make the right play, whether it’s the shot or the extra pass to a teammate.”
In the past year, Harris has attracted recruiting interest from schools such as Maryville, Missouri Baptist, Illinois College and Merrimack (MA). A growth spurt of four to five inches in the past year has really helped Harris develop into a standout high school guard.
“It has really helped with my passing because I can see over the defense much better,” he said. “Now, I can shoot more of a jump shot.”
As he approaches his senior season, Harris has set his goals high, which is to help Jackson advance to the Final Four of the state tournament for the first time. The Indians have won five consecutive Class 5 district championships, but their season has ended one game short of the Final Four each time. Jackson returns a veteran group of seniors that have been playing together for a long time with Harris, Pete Lake, Cameron Hester and Desmond Morris.
“We want to make it to the Final Four,” Harris said. “I feel with me, Pete, Cam and Des, we have a strong corps and we can be successful.”