Story
Boys basketball: Harris leads Dwyer into districts
Sunday, February 07, 2010
by
Joseph Kairalla
When point guard Tia Harris moved last summer and transferred from Martin County to Dwyer, he knew he was joining a tradition-rich program and instead of being the star, he just needed to find a way to fit in.
Luckily for Harris and Dwyer, he was able to blend in smoothly.
Harris averages about 13 points and four assists per game and is a standout on defense for the Panthers, who are the second seed in this week's District 15-5A tournament.
Though his transition to his new team has appeared seamless, Harris said the "Panther Way" has taken some getting used to.
"The practices are a lot harder than what I was used to and it took a little bit to get comfortable," Harris said. "And coach (Fred) Ross stays on you all the time, no matter how good you are, he always forces the best out of you."
For Ross, Harris and his energetic, physical style have been a welcome addition to the Panthers.
"Right away, I knew he was a player, it was just a matter of him getting used to everything," Ross said. "There have been many games this year when Tia has been the difference, whether it be with a big basket or a big steal or just a combination of everything he does. He never gives up on the floor."
Harris' ability was most evident early this season when Dwyer was missing its best player, Jacoby Brissett, who was quarterbacking the Panthers' football team to a state championship. In Brissett's absence, Harris took over the scoring load and made sure he got all of his teammates involved. He became a leader on the team he had just joined.
"I believe that God gave me a gift to motivate other people around me and pick everybody else up with my energy," Harris said. "With Jacoby out, I just made sure no one got down and we all played to the best of our ability."
When Brissett returned, Harris' role switch from scorer to playmaker, a change he welcomed.
"I love to take the ball to the rack and get physical," Harris said. "That lets me create problems and then kick the ball out so my teammates can perform."
Ross says that Harris' energy is contagious, evidenced in recent wins over Palm Beach Lakes and Jupiter.
In both contests, the Panthers got off to sluggish starts and trailed by double-digits in the second half before Harris rallied them to victories with his defense and playmaking.
"Against Lakes, no one seemed to be in synch, but all of a sudden, Tia made a couple steals and hit a big shot and everyone woke up and realized that we were going to win that game," Ross said. "The same thing against Jupiter, we got down big, then he makes a couple of big plays — gets the other guys going and we come back and win.
"I wish everyone had his energy."
Harris believes the Panthers have the talent to go far in the playoffs.
"If we keep working and practicing hard, good things will happen," he said.
User Comments:
warriors commented on February 8, 2010 at 10:40 a.m.: flag
Who will Fred Ross recruit next year & from which school?? How will he do if he had to coach only his kids? He's expanding his recruiting from Palm Beach County, Martin County, next he will be in Broward or St. Lucie. Jupiter was the better team with their own players.....
Riviera Beach commented on February 8, 2010 at 3:33 p.m.: flag
I'm sure Fred will take any one who is talented and wants to play for a winner. Not just anybody can come play at Dwyer. Fact is Jupiter lost and Paxton needs to grow up. You can tell he is spoiled. If he grew up in a ruff area somebody would have put his whining butt in check along time ago. Way to let your team down. If Tia or Jacoby would have done or act like Paxson they would be getting crusified on this blog. He might be good but does his team no good being on the bench for districts. Maybe he should have transferred to Dwyer this year and played for a good coach that would have kept his a## in check. D BLOCK!!!!!
CL561 commented on February 8, 2010 at 4:50 p.m.: flag
Totally agree with you Riveria Beach. When you have a solid program that has produced D1 players of course kids want to play for you and maybe have that oppurtunity. And as for that Paxton kid he is a very good player but definitlely runs his mouth way too much. You should take a lesson from Jacoby on how to carry yourself out there.
Backing up Jupiter commented on February 8, 2010 at 6:42 p.m.: flag
"Riviera Beach"- You can tell he is spoiled? Oh really now, do you personally know him? Paxson is doing just fine playing for Anderson, which is an awesome coach without a doubt. But enough about Paxson, unlike Dwyer we have a team that doesn't depend on just 1 or 2 members. We have a team who is talented in EVERYWAY. Shemanski, Schattie, and Hoffman will without a doubt lead their team into a good direction. Heads up boys and show all these haters how Jupiter runs it. =]
"CL561"- Take lessons from Jacoby? What a joke.
metoyou commented on February 8, 2010 at 9:53 p.m.: flag
First of all the day will come when freds recruiting days will be over what goes around comes back,yes Tia harris is an excellent player,But in order to go to a D-1 school you need grades num 1 priority!!!!!!!!!!!! your coach can only help you get so far.....its amazing how you didnt learn much at county,but was there 3yrs and all of a sudden senior yr ill transfer oh come on......scouts look @ that too.or did fred say ill make that go away as well (lol)
suncoast commented on February 9, 2010 at 7:48 a.m.: flag
Fred Ross is not a good coach. If you send him to a bad team and tell him to work with the players he got and he will not do as well. You can be a good coach when you have a star team around you. A coach is only as good as his players. For example Phil jackson has had kobe and shaq and other good players to win. But on the other hand the only coach ive seen do good with okay players were bob knight fron texas tech. So ross is not that good of a coach. It is his players that make him. Really suncoast does good with the players they already have. congrad to coach jason powell to having a winning record with an good team.
warriors commented on February 9, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.: flag
I agree with suncoast!!! Every year a different player transfer to Dwyer. He will not win with his own player.
Riviera Beach commented on February 9, 2010 at 10:37 a.m.: flag
It cracks me up how some of your are so upset about recruiting. Listen, if a student transfers their senior year it is not recruiting. It is because he wants a chance to play for a better team and possibly a title. It is allowed for all seniors, sports related or not. If Fred was recruiting Tia don't you think he would have wanted him earlier in his career. Who knows if he has a bright D1 future. This might be his last year to play on this level. As an ex high school player who did get to play college I will say rec ball never is the same as organized. This has been going on for over 10 years in every sport since this rule was put in place. Players from bad teams look at who is going to be good their senior year and transfer. If Jupiter develops a winning tradition those transfers would be coming to them. The coach really has nothing to do with it. They except the player and why wouldn't they. As for Paxson I will just say ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS and his say he is spoiled. I put blame on the coach. I wouldn't let a player run his mouth and whin like him if I were coach. Part of high school sports is developing young men with good character.
Brian Justine commented on February 9, 2010 at 3:21 p.m.: flag
Fred Ross is the very best there is. He does not recruit any of these kids. They are attracted to a winning program and end up at Dwyer so they can improve, win, and increase their chances of gaining exposure. When Dwyer first opened in 1992, Coach Ross won immediately with some very untalented teams. No depth, no size, no superstar- still dominated. Consistently beat way more talented teams. The players that ended up being good for him only reached that level because of the conditioning and practice habits he instilled in them. Put most of his current and former players (not Gee, Brown, Galloway, Brissett or maybe Goldwire) in any other program in our area and they would improve very little and remain underachieving, average high school players. Trust me on this. Fred Ross is in a league of his own.
blah-blah commented on February 9, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.: flag
It saddens me to see people that are ignorant in what they say. Ross is a very good coach who cares about the kids he has helped more kids in this area get in school be it d1, d2, d3 or juco than any other coach and check your facts next time he has helped kids from several schools.The kids that are there are not recruited the parents want them there even kids that aren't super stars go to school. So you all should be happy there is somebody in the area that is trying to help our kids, because the other coaches only think of them selves and a winning season.
deland commented on February 10, 2010 at 10:01 a.m.: flag
Dwyer is one of the best basketball program in the state year in year out and they owe it all to Fred Ross. he love the kids but he don't play and they know it, he won before kids transferred to dwyer and he will keep winning.
DELAND FL.
blah-blah commented on February 11, 2010 at 6:33 a.m.: flag
deland your right there a lot of ignorance around in this area. Thanks for sending FRED to US he has been great.
L. SHEELY commented on February 22, 2010 at 11:32 a.m.: flag
Amen to all the positive feed back on dwyer's coach fred ross.. Bottom line, every kid deserves to be a part of a winning program & coach ross provides just that.. I was a transfer 16 years ago from suncoast & coach ross changed my life by using the game of basketball! Now! I'm 33 years old & he still has an impact on my way of life... It's more than about basketball it's all about building a teenager's charactor at a fragal point in life... GO PANTHERS!
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