NEHEMIAH HARRINGTON SHOOTING FOR THE STARS
By Michael Bray
The Westville Yellowjackets welcomed three new transfers from Gentry High School in Arkansas during the offseason and one of those is Nehemiah Harrington.
While the name may not ring a bell for Oklahoma basketball followers, in Arkansas Nehemiah holds the state record for the most 3-pointers in a single game with 14, which he set last year on the way to a 46-point outing.
Obviously, coach Tyler Triplett is thrilled to have Harrington on the team as the starting shooting guard and is finding ways to further utilize his skills.
“He’s been a sponge for us and he’s learning different ways to showcase his talent besides just shooting the three-ball,” Triplett said. “He’s attacking the basket more now and is transitioning into a downhill type of player He’s also improved on the defensive side of the ball including guarding and rebounding.”
Asked about the secret of his success, Harrington would rather talk about being a team-first player.
“I’m a team player and I focus on my teammates more than myself,” he stated. “I love basketball because when I’m on the court and around my teammates, that’s when I feel the best.”
Nehemiah’s role model growing up as a basketball player is a guy that was also a pretty good shooter- the late NBA star, Kobe Bryant.
“He [Bryant] had a good mentality, and he never gave up and that’s why I wear the number 24.”
Triplett said Harrington is an outgoing person and fun to be around.
“He always has a smile on his face, always looking to have a good time and always looking to have fun,” Triplett said. “He and his teammates get along really well off the court as well. Everybody gravitates to him. He’s just a great kid to be around with an outgoing personality.”
Nehemiah has a game plan to help Westville succeed, while at the same time shooting for a personal goal.
“I can help by scoring and playing defense,” he said, “and a goal that I have is to beat the Oklahoma 3-point single game record which is 13.”
High aspirations yes, but within reach? For Nehemiah Triplett, anything is possible.
