XAVIER HARJO
MORRIS HIGH SCHOOL
Morris High School senior Xavier Harjo credits a lot of his success as a VYPE Top 100 player to the years he has spent playing travel ball with his dad as coach.
“I started playing basketball when I was three or four and have played a lot of travel ball. That’s really helped me become a better high school player. We’ve traveled all around Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Arkansas and playing against strong competition and getting all the reps I get in travel ball has really helped me become a better shooter,” said Xavier, who averaged 16 points a game last year.
His coach, Brandon Heath, agrees.
“I came to Morris when Xavier was a sophomore and back then he was in a battle just to be a backup guard. But he has really come along in three years. He is a great shooter and finisher at the basket that can score the ball inside and outside. He’s also a threat from the three-point area where he shot 34 percent last year. We probably would have won more games last year, but Xavier missed the first 10 games of the year with an injury. Now his biggest strength is probably his shooting. He’s the guy we want to have the ball in his hands in critical situations. I’ve also been impressed with how he has stepped into a leadership role this year and become a more vocal player who has generally been pretty quiet. Even this year he’s shown he can adapt and adjust whereas in the early part of the year he was getting into foul trouble but now he has gotten better in his defensive skills to overcome a lot of that. In the years I’ve coached, I’ve never had anyone that has shown more dedication to improving his skills than Xavier.”
As he has become more of a team leader this year, Xavier talked about a former teammate that demonstrated those leadership skills to him.
“When I was a freshman, Tucker Kelsey was a senior who I looked up to. I liked the way he always carried himself and he really showed me what it would take to be a successful high school player. Becoming more vocal this year has been a bit of a transition for me this year, but I knew with so many new guys this year, I would have to step up. I yell, not to be mean or bossy, but to instruct because our new guys are still learning how to play at the high school level. I think a good leader doesn’t ask his teammates to do something he’s not willing to do himself.”
After making it to the area tournament finals in his freshman year, the Eagles have struggled the past two seasons and Harjo is hoping to help get things turned back on the winning track as he talked about his goals for his senior season.
“I don’t really worry much about statistical goals. My main goal is to help leave the program in better shape for the future. I’d like to play college ball somewhere, but if that doesn’t work out, I’ll have a plan B ready to fall back on,” said the nifty point guard.
Coach Heath thinks coaches in the college ranks will be missing out if they pass on adding Xavier to their program.
“He may be a bit undersized, but I think he would be a good addition to a college or junior college program, and someone will be missing out on a solid addition if they overlook him.”
