Davenport's Harelson finishes odd summer
TULSA — Maddie Harelson fully believed it was time to move on in May.
All t hat awaited was her Davenport High School diploma. She was working out. She needed a summer job to get by until she left to play at Central Oklahoma.
Longtime Davenport coach Danny Acord devised a different plan.
He needed an assistant coach for the summer. Sure, Harelson had just graduated, but she was the true leader of the team, a voice for the players and a voice for Acord. The job was hers if she wanted it.
“I thought about it,” she said on the spot, “and I'll do it.”
Ha rel son played in Wednesday's annual Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State girls basketball game. She was the small school's first selection since 2006. It was a special night and a capper to a unique summer.
A high school player f resh off wearing her school's cap and gown coached her peers.
“I never wanted to be that kind of player that brought them down,” Harelson said. “If Coach Acord ever had to be the bad cop I tried to be the good cop, but I'd still try to teach and do what he taught. It worked.”
Acord first started to push Harelson in middle school. During the summers, she practiced with the high school team. If she didn't show up, Acord called Harelson's mom.
By her freshman year, she was blossoming into a star capable of playing anywhere on the floor. Davenport was talented, likely bound for the state tournament. But injuries took a toll on the team.
They hit again her sophomore year. Her junior year, Harelson suffered a severely sprained ankle the week before the season opener. She missed six weeks.
Last season, the 6-foot Harelson again injured her
ankle, but she remained on the court as she averaged 12.9 points and helped Davenport reach the regional tournament. She pushed her teammates. She offered encouragement. She offered lessons.
Her team mates intent ly watched her. They often listened to her more than Acord.
“You just can't replace a kid like her ,” Acord said. “For the school, for me and all of that, I'm just so glad to see her get recognized for being a great, great player and a great leader.
Harel son spent the summer asap layer-coach. She practiced with the team and helped coach in the summer league and team camps.
She caught a bit of the coaching bug, too. Now, she wants to double-major at UCO while playing. She hopes to be a counselor and a coach.
She certainly got a head start.
“I think she'd make a great coach someday if she decides to go that route,” Acord said. “I told my wife that if she was done with college I'd offer her a (full-time) job right now.”