Ellet CLC Seeking Fifth Straight Girls' City Series Title

As a player, Nick Harris had to scratch and claw for respect on the basketball court during his time at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Nothing, it seemed, came easy for a marginal player buoyed by a gigantic chip on his shoulder.

Then, little changed when he enlisted in the Air Force, where his passion for the game opened unimaginable doors. Ultimately, it led him into coaching.

The 2003 CVCA graduate has parlayed his passion and enthusiasm into becoming one of the most successful girls basketball coaches in City Series history. In just five seasons, he built a juggernaut at Ellet CLC.

“I wasn’t nearly as gifted as they are, and I had to work my butt off just to have a jersey and just to have an opportunity to be on the team,” Harris recalled. “So I really loved it. I really liked being around the game. I put in a lot of work just to have the chance to compete and play.

“I figured it would open up other doors down the road. “I’m a better coach having to work hard at just making a team.”

And Harris’ hard work had paid dividends for Ellet. It’s now the most dominant program in the City Series.

The Lady Orangemen (12-4, 9-0) are looking to extend their remarkable league winning streak to 47 when they face the Buchtel Griffins this Wednesday night in the City Series championship game at Firestone CLC.

“I'm a little nervous because I haven't seen the players in a week,” Harris said. “It’s hard to beat a team three times (in the same season).”

Already, the Orangemen have swept the Griffins this season – including a 65-37 thumping in December. Ellet enters the title game as a heavy favorite as it prepares for the state Division III tournament.

However, Harris is encouraging his team to keep its gloves up against the Griffins, who were far more competitive in the teams’ rematch two weeks ago. After two bitter defeats against Division I opponents, Strongsville and Stow-Munroe, Harris knows there remains room to grow for a team seeking its fifth consecutive league title.

“The girls value basketball and take seriously the passion they’ve put into it,” said Harris, whose team escaped with a 43-31 win over Buchtel on Jan. 22. “It's created a very positive environment.

“It’s a game that we’re gonna have to be prepared for and be ready to play at our best. We know the other teams are working hard and wanting to beat us. The talent level is rising throughout the league.”

Even though the focus is winning another league title, Harris possesses visions of grandeur for girls basketball in Akron.

“I take it very seriously that our league is able to represent in games against the suburb and private schools during the playoffs,” Harris said. “It shows that Akron teams are doing it the right way and that they are coached up, and that we compete for 32 minutes.”

Already, Harris’ team gained some measure of redemption against his alma mater. The Orangemen atoned for a disappointing 55-37 setback to CVCA during last season’s district finals with a convincing win in December.

“We beat them at our place, and that was nice,” Harris recalled. “I don’t know if we’ll get them in the playoffs this year, but our players will be prepared however the (playoff) draw shapes out.”

The Orangemen are a younger team, considering it has only one senior. Yet, a largely underclass roster has a wealth of playoff experience, which includes sophomore point guard Kenadie Keith and sophomore forward D’Amore Scott. 

Scott is averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds per game. Kenadie’s numbers include 11 points, 3 assists, 3 steals and 4 rebounds. Additionally, Saniya Williams averages 9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

The Orangemen are a reflection of their coach. They play hard for 32 minutes, and there’s nothing left in the tank. It’s all out, all the time,

“I think some people have that extra fight in them or a chip on their shoulder that makes them fight harder,” Harris said. “I've been blessed with girls who buy into what we’re teaching. They will go the extra step to win and they play for each other.

“We’re taking advantage of all the time to get better year round and we give them the opportunity to come to the gym throughout the year. We are in the weight room consistently, working at being the best.”

Sometimes, disappointment fuels success. Harris is hoping the Lady Orangemen learned some valuable lessons in setbacks to Strongsville (83-52) and Stow (64-32). 

“Those were two games where we couldn't throw it in the ocean,” Harris remembered. “I thought we got good shots, and I thought we played okay offensively. But it showed us there’s always room for improvement.”

And a fifth straight City Series championship will be another step in the right direction.