Sam Harris, pictured left, and his family with the SEED DC’s Lady Falcons girls’ basketball team
After 25 years as a basketball coach, Sam Harris thought his days on the court were over. So, when he received a call from Glen Sylvester, assistant coach of the SEED DC boys basketball team, asking if he was interested in filling the role of head coach for the SEED DC’s Lady Falcons basketball team, Harris was surprised. (1)
“The grind of coaching isn’t for everyone — it’s best suited for the young and single, and I am neither, so I had to get away,” Harris said. “As you get older, the combination of the late nights away from your family and constantly going from gym to gym scouting, practicing and playing games just wears you down.” (Washington Post, February 3, 2020)
Harris hadn’t coached a team in six years and he had never coached a girls team. His initial response was “no,” but with the support and encouragement of his family, Harris took the job. He had one stipulation – his wife and son would have to join his coaching staff! (1)
Together, the Harris family settled in with the girls team. And Coach Harris soon realized that coaching girls isn’t much different from coaching boys. His players just lacked experience. Two weeks before the season began, Harris held three-hour practices where he taught the basics such as dribbling, setting screens, and shooting free throws. (1)
“They sparked something in me that I didn’t know still existed,” Harris said. “They gave me new life.” (Washington Post, February 3, 2020)
Although our athletics are currently canceled, we are delighted to share the amazing success of The Lady Falcons this season! They finished with a 22-4 record and finished in 1st place in the Public Charter School Athletic Association (PCSAA) Class A standings. We would like to extend a special congratulations to Coach Sam Harris for leading the girls’ team and sharing his passion for the basketball with us. Congratulations also to Kaniya Chambers (SEED DC ‘22) for earning first-team, All-State honors this season and being selected as the PCSAA player of the year!
To add on to the wonderful accolades achieved by our Falcon basketball athletes, our boys varsity team also had a very successful season with senior Anthony Simmons winning player of the year honors for the PCSAA and earning second-team, All-State honors. Go Falcons!
(1) Washington Post Staff, “A Coaching Family Has Quickly Turned SEED Girls Into Playoff Contenders” High School Sports Update, February 3, 2020