Like most in Okarche, Kaleb Harris was heart-broken when he heard the news.
His coach for the last three years lost his hard-fought battle with cancer. Ray West was a father figure for Harris, who helps his mom at home while playing ball all he can with his three brothers. The man who helped shape him as a player, student and person was gone.
“I was with him for three years, but it felt like 15 or most of my life,” Harris said of the long-time Okarche coaching legend. “We would talk after practice, scrimmages, games. He always tol me to take care of my family, respect my mom and be as good of a person as I can be.
“He was a major inspiration to me.”
West passed away Aug. 10. He was the active wins leader in the entire state and coached the Warriors to the 2019 Class A state semifinals last season. Harris was a major piece to the puzzle Okarche put together a year ago, spearheading a quarterfinals win over Kiowa to help punch the team’s ticket to the Big House.
“I think I was a big part of that game,” Harris said. “It’s my favorite moment so far in my career.”
Harris will be tagged as one of Okarche’s top returners this season. He was the team’s top junior scorer in 2018-19 and made his name as a slasher – a guard who profited when driving to the basket, either scoring or finding an open shooter on the run. He spent the off season working on his game, taking anywhere from 500-1,000 shots per day while also honing his defensive and ball-handling skills. He attributes his drive to succeed to his “old coach West.”
“He knew I had that drive in me,” he said. “He was always pushing me to be that scrappy player, that person that would drive to the basket without fear. My teammates would say I’m fun and outgoing, but that competitiveness makes me extremely serious on the court.”
Mentally, Harris is ready to step up as a leader. He and last year’s Okarche All-Stater Cris Avila spoke during the off season, breaking down how Harris can step into the role Avila left behind.
“Cris and I have been talking about that leadership aspect for sure,” Harris said. “You have to get guys open and play as a team. Not one person can do it by themselves. They had probably the best group we’ve had here in a long time. I think they gave us a lot to look forward to now that we’re seniors.”
Aaron West, Ray West’s son, takes over as the new Warriors head coach this season. Harris praised “young coach West” as one of the best coaches in the state.
“Especially now that he’s the head coach of his hometown school,” Harris said. “He has his dream job and he’ll do great with it. He helps not just with basketball, but with family too and he’s always there for us no matter what. He deserves a state ring as much as anybody.”
Harris understands the expectations aren’t changing in Okarche. He and his teammates are driven to carry on Ray West’s legacy and the tradition of the program. The team lost an experienced group of seniors last season, but Harris has state tournament aspirations.
“Our main thing will be defense and speed,” he said. “We’re a fast team so we want to play a lot in transition. Our goal at Okarche is always to win state. That never changes. I think we have the group that can live up to those expectations and make another run to state.”
The incoming senior knows one thing about his team. And Old coach West would be proud.
“We have that swagger,” he said. “He would always say have that swagger. Even if they’re bigger or more athletic. If you have that swagger you can play with anybody.”
Harris’ confidence matches his former coach’s persona. And it’s he and the team’s goal to play off that fact.
“We’re trying to win it for him. That’s all we want to do.”
