Harper relies on hard work, dedication to hit milestone

It was fitting that Damon Harper cracked the 1,000-point mark for his career at Hewitt-Trussville High School with a 3-pointer.

Harper’s sweet stroke from behind the arc is one of the aspects of his game that make him such a difficult player for opposing teams to contain. In a blur, he can stop on a dime, elevate and use a quick release that often ends with the ball splashing through the net.

The senior also possesses a slick handle from the point guard position, is a strong passer and can defend the best guards, often with apparent ease.

Entering the Huskies’ Dec. 18 basketball game against Pinson Valley, Harper was told he was four points shy of eclipsing 1,000 for his career. That was the last thought he put into it. 

He didn’t even examine the game tape to determine which basket put him over the milestone until a few weeks after the fact.

“I’m very blessed to hit it,” Harper said of the mark. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates all four years in the program. It means a lot to me.”

It’s natural that he would deflect credit for doing something that he has so much control over. That’s the kind of player he is. When asked what it’s like to be “in the zone” as a shooter, he said much of the same.

Harper said, “I have great teammates, so if they see I’m open and I’m hot, they make it a lot easier.”

He was pulled up to the varsity team at Hewitt as a freshman and has played for coach Marcus Thomas since his sophomore year.

“He’s the first kid who I’ve coached in my entire career who hit 1,000 points so easily,” Thomas said. “He wasn’t selfish about it and did exactly what I asked him to do. He’s just a joy to coach. I’m going to miss him a lot.”

In his final season with the Huskies, Harper has added leadership to his list of responsibilities, something that didn’t come naturally for him at first.

“Coming in as a freshman, that really wasn’t my job,” Harper said. “But Coach Thomas has helped me with that a lot and being a leader; encouraging the young guys, staying positive and leading by example.”

During Harper’s first three years at Hewitt, the Huskies have had ups and downs. But the team has flirted with the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Class 7A top 10 throughout the season, and it now has legitimate postseason aspirations. “This season, it’s been real fun,” Harper said.

His skill set speaks for itself, but he brings more to the Hewitt-Trussville program than his shooting stroke or athleticism. Thomas called Harper the type of player who coaches get the chance to lead only once every five to 10 years. 

“As tangible as he is, the things that he brings to the program are intangible,” Thomas said. “I can’t say enough about him.”

Harper dreams of playing college basketball after his high school career concludes and is drawing interest from a handful of junior colleges. Harper perceives that to be his likely route at this point, with hopes that after two years, he will be able to attract the attention of a Division I school.

Two things have gotten him to this point, and he hopes those are going to be the same things that will make his career memorable for more than just scoring 1,000 points in high school.

“Hard work and dedication,” he said. “That’s it.”