By Bill Bray
FREMONT – When one thinks about Fremont Ross Boys Basketball this season names like Ayden Carter, Kaden Holmes or Carter Rodriguez might come to mind. But the Little Giants have a senior leader that contributes every single game.
Kurt Harrison, a 6’5” post player is always on the floor when coach John Cahill needs Harrison’s intensity and rebounding ability. “Kurt is a kid who has a varied role here,” Cahill began. “He came up as a sophomore and started some for us. He played a lot as a junior and this year he is kind of in a ‘coming off the bench’ role, but he does whatever he can to help the team. I compare him a little to Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love in some ways. Love was an all-star and now he’s doing whatever he can do to help his team. Kurt has been huge for us in a few different games so far this season, not as much in scoring but just his overall presence on the court with rebounding and steady play.”
The senior is happy with the role that he brings to the team this season. “The last two years I have started here, but we have a bunch of new guys now on the varsity. Some are the same but there are some that have gotten a lot better as they have grown in the program. But really, I don’t mind coming off the bench to do the job that is asked of me. Whether it is to set screens, get rebounds or hit a few shots and cheer my guys on. It’s definitely a big change but I just look for the best in everything.”
Harrison grew up in a different culture that he now finds himself. “I attended Fremont St. Joseph. My whole family went there, but I decided to transfer over here to Ross going into my 8th grade year. It has ended up being a great decision because I have met a lot of great friends. The coaching staff is awesome here and they have helped me improve both as a player and person.”
The extroverted personality Harrison possesses was not a great fit at St. Joe. “My class at St. Joe had around 15 students in it, so consequently I didn’t have many friends there. I decided to come to Ross, and I have met a good 350 or so people over the last four years. Many of them will be lifelong friends so that makes me very happy.”
The game of basketball was another interest that Harrison came to know and enjoy at an early age. “I started playing basketball in first or second grade,” Harrison remembered. “So, I have been playing pretty much my whole life. I love the sport. I just love it because it is so competitive, and it matches my personality in that I am a very competitive person. I just love competing with different people and getting to know different guys from playing.
Despite his love for the game, nothing is more important to Harrison than a good education that will carry him through the rest of his life. “I pay attention much more to school than basketball because that’s just how my parents raised me. I love basketball but school is definitely more important, and I try to maintain the best grades possible.”
That’s not to say that Harrison doesn’t think the world of the guidance he is getting while playing the sport he loves. “Coach Cahill is a great guy. He came here my freshman year, so I don’t know any differently. He has taught me so many things about life and basketball and he has always been there for me whether it be school, personal issues or basketball, no matter what, he’s been there for me and I really appreciate him. Coach Gedeon also. He’s been a really nice guy and has also taught me well with school and basketball issues and he is also very much appreciated.”
Those “best grades possible” will hopefully lead Harrison to his next goal, that being attending college. ““I think I will be attending Bowling Green State University to study business. Everyone in my family studied business and I feel like it is a great path for me as well. I love negotiated deals and just being around people socializing and get things done in the classroom.
But for now, there are still more immediate goals to achieve while at Ross High School. Let’s hope that those goals become a reality and the basketball season can extend far into March.