Cheltenham’s Zahree Harrison shines for K-Low Elite in Donofrio Classic semifinal loss
CONSHOHOCKEN >> Not much went right for K-Low Elite in their 97-69 loss against We R 1 in the 59th Annual Albert C. Donofrio Classic semifinals Monday night at the Fellowship House of Conshohocken.
KLE fell behind by 20 points early in the first half and never legitimately threatened to make a comeback.
Despite the score, guard Zahree Harrison was a bright spot.
The Cheltenham junior came off the bench and finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
“What we represent at K-Low is we want to come out and win,” Harrison said, “that’s the first thing. We needed a spark off the bench. I just came in and tried to be the spark and give us the energy we needed.”
Like all players, Harrison is trying to improve certain aspects of his game heading into his senior season. Two areas he’s focusing on are his defense and pull-up shooting.
The Donofrio Classic tends to feature offense, with scores soaring into the 120s. Harrison often found himself on an island with the premiere guard in the area — Bonner & Prendergast senior and Miami commit Isaiah Wong — and held his own.
“Defense is my No. 1 priority,” Harrison said of his areas to improve. “Every time I step out it’s an opportunity to get better. Defense is what I needed to work on, it’s where I need to challenge myself, especially in this type of tournament — challenge myself against the better players and get used to it.
“Those are the guys that everybody looks at as the top players in the city,” Harrison added of Wong. “I feel like if I can go out there and compete as hard as I can, I know I can be looked at as one of those players, too. I feel like if I go out and compete, I’m one of the best players on the court, too.”
As for his shooting, Harrison hit three three-pointers to help get his 16 points.
“I’m getting a lot of shots up every day,” he said. “I’m pushing myself to be the best player I can be. My shot is starting to feel better. Confidence is key — that’s the most important part.”
He also showed his offensive skill-set driving to the basket with a couple acrobatic finishes and crafty passes to teammates. His assist count could have flirted with double digits, but a few passes were too hot for teammates to handle or not right where they wanted the ball, which he says will be corrected with more time playing together.
Harrison will get that time this spring and summer. He will be playing his AAU ball with K-Low Elite.
