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to compete in the State Champion· ship tournament. His overall record (girls' and boys ' teams combined) is 1230 winss and 465 1oses. His coachi1 g accomplishmentS have not gone unnouccd as he was selected Mississippi Association of Coaches' "Coach of the Year" for 1985-86 and 12umcs he was chosen "Conference coach of the Year." He also served as girls' coach in the annual Mississippi Association of Coaches' All-Star game in 1965 and 1973. He served as Cherokee Con– ference president during 1974-75. His teaching abilities have also been recognized as he was selecled "Star Teacher" in 1980. Harris said his coaching philoso– phy is basically preuy simple. "I stress to my players to v. ork hard and feel good about themselves but don't forget their ~mmate \Ve all win as a team and we all lose a~ a ~m and all we can do h our best I also try nm LO get too upset at my players,"

son and Locpr was a III'SI team starter for three years in the second base position. Loper was also a member of the college's fi rst football team which was organized in 1929. He played fullback and end on the Warrior squad for two seasons. Following his athletic career, Lop– er enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi where he received a bachelor of science degree. Loper clid nOt participate in senior college athletics as he taught and coached during regular school cerms and att.cndcd college at night and summer semesters. His coaching and teaching career spanned almost 35 years, beginning in 1935. He began his coaching career at Stratton and later directed athletic teams at Erin, Ringgold, Union, Pachuta, Decatur, Biloxi and Meridian. Loper's greatest coaching success came at Decatur where he led the boys' basketball team to a 136· 0 record during a seven-year period. His 1955 squad went to the State &oumament but was defeated in a close game with Wheeler, the even– tual state champion. His football teams also competed for conference honors each season with many of his players later becoming standouts at East Central. Along with his coaching duties Loper also served as principal or teacherduring his 35-ycarcareer. Loper's fmal years as coach and teacher were served at Kate Griffin Junior High in Meridian where he was fondly referred to as "Coach Jeff." He spent 10 years at kate Grif· fm where he led the "Baby Kitten" program until retiring in 1966. Loper said he has spent most of his retirement years playinggolf, and even today he can be seen as a regu· Jar on the Decatur course. He is married to the fonner Lois Ray Faulk and they have a daughter, J- Mrs. Edclie Ray Weber, who lives in CA. Mrs. Loper and her daughter also attended EastCentral. Richard Harris Not only did Richard Harris enjoy a successful career playing basket· b3U at Hid.~ . E.m Central and Delu Sate, blt his ca.--eer a ::mdl

menLS are a successful indicator, then the new Newton County (formerly Decatur High) High School girls' basketball coach will obviously con– tinue his winning tr3dition. Harris, 58, was an All-State per– former at Hickory High School before he began his college hoop career at East Central in 1950. An All-State guard at East Central duringthel950-51 and 1951-52sea· sons, said he felt "very fortUnate" to have played for Coach Amo Vincent who used "a lot of psychology" and "that tone of voice" which "made you wanttoplay!" During his freshman season, Har– ris said the Warriors had won "about 13 straight" games unlll lO of 15 team members were mobilized for military service in the National Guard. Harris said his freshman year the Warrior squad featured "a lot of good players." Besides playing basketball, Harris also played third base and pitcher for the Diamond Warriors. Following his East Centr.ll career. Harris signed a scholarship to attend Delta State \\here he o~ho played l:mketball and ro ebJJI. A two-year suner. h:ltT'is 3\er– aged about 13 pointS per game his junior year as the Statesmen recorded an 18-6 overall record. During his senior season, Harris averaged about 14 pointS per game as Delta State rolled to a 20-5 marie. Harris continued his basketball playing career as pan of his military service and was selected to the All Seventh Army Team in Europe in 1955-56. Harris' outstanding coaching career began at St. Martin High School in 1957. In 1960 he came lO Hickory High School where he remained until1987. At both schools his teams won 17 conference liLies. Three of his Hickory squads (1963-64, 1964-65 and 1973-74) had even greater success by capturing state championships. He retired in 1987 but came out of retirement to coach at Clarke Col– lege. After one season he left Clarke to become girls' basketball coach at Decatur High School for the 1989-90 chool year. The one } cat at Decatur wa ~IOUSly a momentous season as lhe I..!! d) \\ a:nors rolled , ~

TT COUr\TY THIES_ _ _ ON APPEAL ISTON COUN.~T~Y~J=o~u=RNAL UDIAN STAR

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