If ever someone was going to blow up following a basketball game it would be Denijay Harris.
The 6-foot-7 senior scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half to help the Columbus High School boys basketball team beat Meridian 47-37 to win the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship on March 10 at Mississippi Coliseum.
“It was just an unbelievable performance,” Columbus High coach Anthony Carlyle said after the game. “No one questions that (Robert Woodard II) has the ability to totally take over a game. To see Denijay put us on his back and carry us, that was very special.”
Harris’ takeover performance made him very popular among college coaches. As a result, those coaches who weren’t recruiting Harris jumped into the fray in an attempt to land the versatile swingman.
But Harris wasn’t swayed.
Instead, he trusted the work of the Southwest Mississippi Community Colleges. Those coaches had recruited him from the start and had built a relationship with him. Harris didn’t forget that after the state championship game when he became a very popular recruit.
On Friday, Harris rewarded Southwest Mississippi C.C. for its efforts when he signed a National Letter of Intent to go to school in Summitt.
“We have been trying to get him to come out of that shell and get him to explode and to be that type of performer,” Carlyle said. “I am glad he saved his best for the last game. I just think he has probably the most upside of any of the other guys. He has the potential once he gets to junior college to work and get better. I can see him at the Division I level in another year or two.
“I am just proud of his growth, and I hope he continues to grow.”
Harris was second on the team in scoring to Woodard II at 12.4 points per game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Harris also shot 57 percent from the field. He had 20 double-figure scoring games and five 20-plus scoring efforts. The coming out party against Meridian in the state championship game also featured eight rebounds and three assists.
Carlyle said confidence is a key part of Harris’ game.
“I tell the kids all of the time you get your confidence through work,” Carlyle said. “When you get in the gym and get extra shots and extra workouts in, I just think your confidence grows from that. I think once he continues to do that he will continue to improve.”
Harris went 10-for-14 from the field in the state title game. He drained a 27-foot 3-pointer as the third quarter horn sounded to end a personal string of seven-straight points that gave Columbus a 32-29 lead.
“The 3-pointer changed the game,” Columbus senior point guard Casey Smith said after the game. “That is when something special happened.”
Harris scored the Falcons’ first nine points and 11 of the first 13 in the fourth quarter.
Harris said his performance in the state championship game attracted attention from a lot of coaches and made the coaches at Southwest Mississippi C.C. even more interested. Still, he knew he didn’t totally surprised them because his communications with the coaches from the beginning of the season revealed they were impressed with numerous aspects of his game. Harris said he appreciated that Southwest Mississippi C.C. stayed on him from the start and showed genuine interest in more than just his basketball skills.
“I feel like they have the best plan for me academic wise and off the court and becoming a better person,” Harris said. “It meant a lot to me.”
Harris said a performance like that on the biggest stage has done wonders for his confidence. He said it validated his belief that he can compete with anybody. Harris said that confidence always was there, but now it has come out more and is ready to shine.
“They have me playing at a three and a two,” Harris said. “They said I can play all positions.”
After an effort like the one Harris had in the state title game, there is no doubt Harris has the potential to realize that goal, too, and take his game to an even higher level.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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