North Greenville's Paul Harrison Becomes Center Of Attention
North Greenville's Paul Harrison Becomes Center Of Attention
HARRISON BECOMES CENTER OF
ATTENTION
-Courtesty of NGU Sports Information
By Cory Guinn
1/20/2012
When he committed to play basketball at North Greenville
University, Paul Harrison was just trying to find a way to continue
his dream and play college basketball. Little did the 6-8 forward
know he would become the focal point of the Crusader basketball
program.
"Paul's high school team did not have a lot of success but you
could tell that he was eager to learn," said Crusader head coach
Chad Lister. "He put in the work that was necessary to transform
his body and his game to become a solid post player at the Division
II level."
After taking a redshirt during the 2007-08 season, the 6' 8"
forward from Alpharetta, GA. has become a consistent source of
offense and defense for the Crusader program.
"Paul become a tough matchup for opponents because he runs the
floor and can step out and shoot it from 10 feet as well as
anyone," said Lister. "He is still learning to trust his post moves
and become more active on the block."
On Wednesday, January 18, Harrison became the all-time leading
scorer for the North Greenville university men's basketball
program. His layup just two minutes into the game broke the 12-year
record and cemented Harrison as one of the school's all-time
greats. Despite losing to Lees-McRae University 63-61, Harrison
record his 42nd career double-double with 16 points and 15
rebounds.
Harrison now stands at 1, 791 career points while also begin the
school's all-time leading rebounder with 880 career boards, 278
more than second place. He also ranks second in career blocks with
107 and ninth in career assists with 193 helpers.
"It is really more of a shock than anything," said Harrison of
his achievement. "If you were to ask anyone on the 2007-08 team, I
probably would've been the last person on anyone's mind. It just
shows you what hard work and dedication will get you."
Harrison's name is all over the North Greenville record books as
he also hold individual records for field goals made in a season
(243 in 2009-10), free throws made and attempted in a season
(141-for-198 in 2009-10), scoring average in a season (22.4 in
2009-10) and rebounds in a game (17 three times).
As an individual, Harrison has also received a multitude of
awards including the 2009 NCAA Division II Independent Freshman of
the Year and back-to-back NCAA Division II Independent Player of
the Year awards in 2010 and 2011
"It would be nice to be remembered in the record books for
sure," said Harrison. "But it would mean a lot to me if I was
remembered for who I was as a person rather than what I did on the
court."
Under the leadership of Harrison the Crusaders have endured a
constant level of success as the program has compiled a 58-42
record, including two second places finishes in the National
Christian Collegiate Athletic Association South Regional Tournament
in 2010 and 2011.
Currently, the senior leads the Crusades in points per game
(18.3), rebounds per game (11.3) and blocks per game (1.9), while
dishing out 3.1 assists per game and shooting 54 percent from the
field. For his career, Harrison boasts averages of 18.9 points per
game, 9.3 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 1.1 blocks
per game.
"Paul is still writing his last chapter," said Lister. "He has
been wonderful to coach, but more importantly he has been great in
the classroom and displays tremendous character. We have a great
relationship and we will miss him when he is gone."
But for now, Harrison and the Crusaders are focused on winning
their first ever conference championship in their inaugural season
in Conference Carolinas.
Visit ngcrusaders.com
for the latest news and info on North Greenville University
Athletics.