Harris Honored at Bolivar Central HS

Former Bolivar Central Lady Tigers Basketball Coach Fredel Harris was honored with a place on the wall of honor in the gymnasium on January 13 at the Tigers meeting with Scotts Hill.

Harris, who coached 23 years at Bolivar Central, totaled 384 wins against 225 losses in a career that began in 1979.

His teams won 10 district championships, six in District 13AAA and four in District 14AA and were twice runners-up in the region, both times advancing to the state tournament with substate wins in 1980 and 1991.

In 1980, the Lady Tigers got the semifinals, beating William Blout  32-30 in the opening round before losing to eventual champion Nashville Pearl, 43-32, in the second round.

In 1991, the Lady Tigers went 22-9, falling to South Green, the eventual champion, in the first round of the state tournament.

Harris joins Marvin Williams as the only other basketball coach enshrined at Bolivar Central. Williams coached the Lady Tigers to two state championships.

Current Bolivar Central Lady Tigers basketball Coach Christie Parker played for Harris.

“He was like a father figure to all of us. He wasn’t only a coach, he cared about us. I’ve never seen anybody who could break down a game film like him. We knew what the other team as going to do.” said Parker.

Harris was known for his long practice sessions.

“Coach Harris was the reason I got a car because we never knew when I’d get about of practice,” laughed Parker.

Harris was replaced by Rick Rudesill in 2003.