James B. Harris Jr. passed away on October 23, 2011 at the age of 67. He is survived by the love of his life, Sandra, his wife of 47 years; 5 children; daughters, Kimberlee, Kristin, Kathryn and Kelsey; son, Jimmy; and 8 grandchildren.
Coach Harris joined the initial teaching staff of Ocean View H.S. and was, for thirty-three years, the basketball program for not only the school, but a leader in the whole of our Southern Section CIF community. It was his impetus for an annual Tournament of Champions, hosted at OVHS. Many athletes from South Bay, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties (throughout the whole of California, in fact) got big-school scout attention playing in these exposure games - names known in the B-ball community who went on to Collegiate notice, or are now giving back with programs of their own.
Harris' own stellar account at OV collected nineteen league championships - three CIF Southern Section titles - and an impressive 665 - 265 record.
We don't play with peach-baskets anymore; we moved the rims to the ends of the court, so spectators can't get their hands in the way of a shot (but retained the backboards). Somebody invented the net; somebody invented a gum-soled shoe; somebody decided the sizes and dimensions of everything; someone cut down a lot of trees to make floors. Some brilliant person invented referees.
But the "game" is more than putting the ball in the hole, more than good determination of distance and effort. More than strength and ability. Hoops is one of the fastest co-operation team sports we play; intentions constantly changing at split-second speed. Working WITH people is its chief discipline; depending ON others, and their depending on you, has rewards off the court - and years after competition.
Jim Harris was employed as a math teacher and head basketball coach for Ocean View High School, but if he could have managed it he would have worked with youth for nothing. The "sport" was the tool to form young people into citizens, and to convince them that although life isn't always fair and has many pitfalls, one must determine their own fate.
Coach Harris' greatest talent was to push you beyond what you thought were your limits - and make you believe it was your idea.
A beautiful memorial service was held on November 13 at Ocean View gym, the bleachers nearly filled - and would have been filled but for all who were seated in chairs on the court. Tears surprised even the most stoic present, especially at the offering of Chris Aldanese, a gifted tenor from OV Class of 2008, who gave us "You Are Not Alone," acapella and on key.
In decades to come students not yet born, staff not yet selected, visitors not yet visiting will cross the Warner Avenue boundary of OVHS and enter the parking lot, seldom acknowledging the ubiquitous palm trees lining it. Jim Harris planted those trees. Jim Harris wouldn't care you may not have known that; he cared that HE knew it.
Coach Harris joined the initial teaching staff of Ocean View H.S. and was, for thirty-three years, the basketball program for not only the school, but a leader in the whole of our Southern Section CIF community. It was his impetus for an annual Tournament of Champions, hosted at OVHS. Many athletes from South Bay, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties (throughout the whole of California, in fact) got big-school scout attention playing in these exposure games - names known in the B-ball community who went on to Collegiate notice, or are now giving back with programs of their own.
Harris' own stellar account at OV collected nineteen league championships - three CIF Southern Section titles - and an impressive 665 - 265 record.
We don't play with peach-baskets anymore; we moved the rims to the ends of the court, so spectators can't get their hands in the way of a shot (but retained the backboards). Somebody invented the net; somebody invented a gum-soled shoe; somebody decided the sizes and dimensions of everything; someone cut down a lot of trees to make floors. Some brilliant person invented referees.
But the "game" is more than putting the ball in the hole, more than good determination of distance and effort. More than strength and ability. Hoops is one of the fastest co-operation team sports we play; intentions constantly changing at split-second speed. Working WITH people is its chief discipline; depending ON others, and their depending on you, has rewards off the court - and years after competition.
Jim Harris was employed as a math teacher and head basketball coach for Ocean View High School, but if he could have managed it he would have worked with youth for nothing. The "sport" was the tool to form young people into citizens, and to convince them that although life isn't always fair and has many pitfalls, one must determine their own fate.
Coach Harris' greatest talent was to push you beyond what you thought were your limits - and make you believe it was your idea.
A beautiful memorial service was held on November 13 at Ocean View gym, the bleachers nearly filled - and would have been filled but for all who were seated in chairs on the court. Tears surprised even the most stoic present, especially at the offering of Chris Aldanese, a gifted tenor from OV Class of 2008, who gave us "You Are Not Alone," acapella and on key.
In decades to come students not yet born, staff not yet selected, visitors not yet visiting will cross the Warner Avenue boundary of OVHS and enter the parking lot, seldom acknowledging the ubiquitous palm trees lining it. Jim Harris planted those trees. Jim Harris wouldn't care you may not have known that; he cared that HE knew it.
James B. Harris Jr. passed away on October 23, 2011 at the age of 67. He is survived by the love of his life, Sandra, his wife of 47 years; 5 children; daughters, Kimberlee, Kristin, Kathryn and Kelsey; son, Jimmy; and 8 grandchildren.
Coach Harris joined the initial teaching staff of Ocean View H.S. and was, for thirty-three years, the basketball program for not only the school, but a leader in the whole of our Southern Section CIF community. It was his impetus for an annual Tournament of Champions, hosted at OVHS. Many athletes from South Bay, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties (throughout the whole of California, in fact) got big-school scout attention playing in these exposure games - names known in the B-ball community who went on to Collegiate notice, or are now giving back with programs of their own.
Harris' own stellar account at OV collected nineteen league championships - three CIF Southern Section titles - and an impressive 665 - 265 record.
We don't play with peach-baskets anymore; we moved the rims to the ends of the court, so spectators can't get their hands in the way of a shot (but retained the backboards). Somebody invented the net; somebody invented a gum-soled shoe; somebody decided the sizes and dimensions of everything; someone cut down a lot of trees to make floors. Some brilliant person invented referees.
But the "game" is more than putting the ball in the hole, more than good determination of distance and effort. More than strength and ability. Hoops is one of the fastest co-operation team sports we play; intentions constantly changing at split-second speed. Working WITH people is its chief discipline; depending ON others, and their depending on you, has rewards off the court - and years after competition.
Jim Harris was employed as a math teacher and head basketball coach for Ocean View High School, but if he could have managed it he would have worked with youth for nothing. The "sport" was the tool to form young people into citizens, and to convince them that although life isn't always fair and has many pitfalls, one must determine their own fate.
Coach Harris' greatest talent was to push you beyond what you thought were your limits - and make you believe it was your idea.
A beautiful memorial service was held on November 13 at Ocean View gym, the bleachers nearly filled - and would have been filled but for all who were seated in chairs on the court. Tears surprised even the most stoic present, especially at the offering of Chris Aldanese, a gifted tenor from OV Class of 2008, who gave us "You Are Not Alone," acapella and on key.
In decades to come students not yet born, staff not yet selected, visitors not yet visiting will cross the Warner Avenue boundary of OVHS and enter the parking lot, seldom acknowledging the ubiquitous palm trees lining it. Jim Harris planted those trees. Jim Harris wouldn't care you may not have known that; he cared that HE knew it.
Coach Harris joined the initial teaching staff of Ocean View H.S. and was, for thirty-three years, the basketball program for not only the school, but a leader in the whole of our Southern Section CIF community. It was his impetus for an annual Tournament of Champions, hosted at OVHS. Many athletes from South Bay, Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties (throughout the whole of California, in fact) got big-school scout attention playing in these exposure games - names known in the B-ball community who went on to Collegiate notice, or are now giving back with programs of their own.
Harris' own stellar account at OV collected nineteen league championships - three CIF Southern Section titles - and an impressive 665 - 265 record.
We don't play with peach-baskets anymore; we moved the rims to the ends of the court, so spectators can't get their hands in the way of a shot (but retained the backboards). Somebody invented the net; somebody invented a gum-soled shoe; somebody decided the sizes and dimensions of everything; someone cut down a lot of trees to make floors. Some brilliant person invented referees.
But the "game" is more than putting the ball in the hole, more than good determination of distance and effort. More than strength and ability. Hoops is one of the fastest co-operation team sports we play; intentions constantly changing at split-second speed. Working WITH people is its chief discipline; depending ON others, and their depending on you, has rewards off the court - and years after competition.
Jim Harris was employed as a math teacher and head basketball coach for Ocean View High School, but if he could have managed it he would have worked with youth for nothing. The "sport" was the tool to form young people into citizens, and to convince them that although life isn't always fair and has many pitfalls, one must determine their own fate.
Coach Harris' greatest talent was to push you beyond what you thought were your limits - and make you believe it was your idea.
A beautiful memorial service was held on November 13 at Ocean View gym, the bleachers nearly filled - and would have been filled but for all who were seated in chairs on the court. Tears surprised even the most stoic present, especially at the offering of Chris Aldanese, a gifted tenor from OV Class of 2008, who gave us "You Are Not Alone," acapella and on key.
In decades to come students not yet born, staff not yet selected, visitors not yet visiting will cross the Warner Avenue boundary of OVHS and enter the parking lot, seldom acknowledging the ubiquitous palm trees lining it. Jim Harris planted those trees. Jim Harris wouldn't care you may not have known that; he cared that HE knew it.
