Bell Co. standout takes talents to next level
Published 11:25 am Thursday, January 16, 2020
<p>Photos submitted</p> <p>Abby Harris, center, sits with her mother Kim and father Terry after committing to play basketball at Asbury University.</p>
<p>Ray Welch | Daily News</p> <p>Abby Harris dribbles past a Middlesboro defender during Bell County’s victory over Middlesboro. She scored a team-high 18 points during the game.</p>
<p>Abby Harris has been making an impact for the Lady Cats since her days as a freshman.</p>
<p>Abby Harris will grace the courts of Asbury University, pictured, beginning in the fall. </p>
Since she was a freshman, Abby Harris has been an integral part of the Bell County girls basketball team. All of that hard work has paid off as the senior standout recently committed to Asbury University to continue her basketball career.
“First, I want to say thank you to my parents for everything they’ve sacrificed to help me reach this dream I’ve had since I was very young. Thank you for being my biggest supporters throughout this journey,” said Harris in a statement. “Next, I want to say thank you to all of my coaches who have shaped me into the player I am today. Coach (David) Teague, thank you for countless hours in the gym and for teaching me so much over the past five years.
“Coach Heifner, thank you for guiding me through my last summer of AAU. I can’t thank you all enough. I also want to say thank you to every college who has given me an opportunity to continue my basketball career at the next level. Most of all, I want to thank God for blessing me with the ability to play the sport I love for His glory and for his guidance through this process.”
Harris is currently in the middle of her senior season with the Lady Cats. She has helped guide the team to a 13-2 record thus far on the year. She is averaging 14.3 points, good for second on the team. She is also averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.
As a junior, Harris paced the Lady Cats on the court tallying a team-best 17.6 points per game while shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. She tallied 5.8 rebounds. Bell County finished the year 13-18, but advanced to the 13 Region tournament after making an appearance in the 52nd District championship.
As a sophomore, Harris finished the year averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 rebounds on a team that went 19-10. As a freshman, she averaged 5.1 points. She appeared in nine games as an eighth-grader.
Harris will join a team in the fall that is currently 14-4 on the year. Asbury finished the 2018-19 season with an 11-19 record. The team competes in the River States Conference in NAIA. The conference includes teams such as Alice Lloyd, Midway, Ohio Christian and Cincinnati Christian.
