Harrington Basketball Reunion

Some are tired of hearing stories, especially those on the losing side, but those who played basketball for Coach Rich Juarez sixty years ago thought they better have a team reunion. They heard Coach (who lives in Sun City, AZ) was coming up to Washington to see relatives this week.

This wasn't their first reunion because they got together in 1975 and at least twice since then, but if your team members are all 76-77 years old and coach a little older, you are not sure how many chances you will have. So, with only one player missing (tested positive for COVID) and two deceased, the remaining seven players and wives met in Harrington last Wednesday with their "still undefeated" high school basketball coach. (He moved to be a Gonzaga assistant coach after one year at Harrington.)

Many stories were told about hard practices and the threat of running laps for being late to practice or not "blocking (or boxing out) your man." The winter of 1965 and its record snow levels forced rural players to stay in town over Christmas break so as not to miss practice. They also remember losing the State Championship by just two points the year before.

Other stories involved our team's primary attention to a full-court press at all times of every game with no regard to the other team's offensive strengths or the game score. When asked about his coaching philosophy, Coach Juarez replied, "Why would I tell my players to slack off and only play defense on half the court?" It worked. Harrington never lost a game.

It was good advice not only for basketball but that attitude remained with us through life- to work hard at your work and when you get a little tired don't quit.