It has been 16 years since Harrison played in its last state basketball championship game.
It has been 17 years since Harrison won its last state championship in basketball.
This year there are six seniors that are leading the Lady Goblins back to the championship game. This will be the first time that Harrison has played in the championship game since it has been moved to the Hot Springs Convention Center.
The Lady Goblins will be tipping off against Farmington on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Sydney Shrum, Maggie Salmon, Brynn Oleson, Tenelle Tate, Mariah Hudson and Alex Hill will all be participating in their last Harrison basketball game.
Harrison has had medical situations this season to go along with COVID-19 situations throughout the season.
Two starters from last season’s team suffered injuries during the summer and limited the time that they saw on the court. Sydney Shrum injured her knee and Brynn Oleson had an achilles tendon injury.
Shrum was able to come back on Dec. 7, but she injured her knee again and missed some games through the season. Oleson returned for Harrison on Jan. 19, but reinjured her tendon and had to have reconstructive surgery again.
“From being a starter to sitting on the bench due to an injury has been difficult,” said Oleson. “It has challenged me to find new ways to still play a role on this team without being on the court. While I wish I could play, I am proud of my team and I can’t wait to cheer them on one last time.”
Shrum has been able to remain in the starting lineup but she has not been able to play at 100 percent this season. She saids that this has been a physical and mental challenge.
“Mentally, my injury and basketball season has been really tough to deal with,” she said. “Knowing I can play better when I finish a game is hard, but I am just glad that I am fortunate enough to even get to continue to play.
“The swelling and pain that has come after some games discouraged me a lot off and on throughout the season,” she said. “I will definitely miss basketball and all the memories it has brought me, but I am ready to fix my knee. Hopefully, I’m coming out of this season a stronger person, I can look back on this experience and learn from everything I've gone through.”
Harrison has become a blended team with two players that have transferred into Harrison High School. Mariah Hudson came during her junior season from Mountain Home and Alex Hill transferred from Alpena this season.
“I was nervous to transfer schools my junior year, but I quickly realized that I fit right in,” said Hudson of her move. “The coaches, my teammates and our fans have been more accepting and encouraging to me every step of the way and I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Hill had a good experience as well.
“The transfer was not difficult at all,” she started. “My teammates were so welcoming and encouraging. The move was easy. I do feel like Harrison accepted me cause I feel very at home with this team. It is definitely an amazing group of girls I got to play with this year.”
This group of Lady Goblins is special and the team enjoys each other’s company.
“Where do I start,” said Maggie Salmon when asked what she liked about the team. “There are so many things to like about this team. Going into the season we had a lot of people doubting that we could get it done with all of the injuries and other setbacks. But we’ve proven time and time again what hard work and heart can do. Being on a team with a lot of overcomers is something big to like.”
Oleson has had a great experience with the team.
“I love our team dynamic and chemistry,” she said. “Most importantly, I love the relationship I have with each player and coach. All of them have supported me through my injuries.
Harrison will be stepping onto the state finals stage and the big lights of the finals game. Hill doesn’t think that this is something to be concerning with.
“It is not something to worry about to me,” she said. “I know it’s a big game, but ultimately it’s just another ball game to me so I’m just going to go out and play my hardest.”
The Lady Goblins have defeated Farmington once this season and has lost to the team twice in postseason play. Salmon said that the Lady Cardinals are similar to the Lady Goblins.
“Although many would say that Farmington is a tough team to guard,” she started, “I personally do not think so. As a group we match up very well to them and if we are able to control the pace of the game and stop two players, then I would say that there’s not much else that could stop us.”
Hudson and Shrum have ideas on what the key to the contest is.
“Farmington is a very talented team, so in order to beat them we have to do the little things right,” said Hudson. “We have to come out focused from the tip, block out every possession, rebound and above all be confident in ourselves and each other because we all have a role to fill.”
Shrum believes that defense wins championships.
“The key to beating Farmington is defense,” she said. “We have to stop their main scorers, block out on every shot and get back in transition. They are fast and a great 3-point shooting team, but our effective defense is what's gonna win us a state championship.
“Offensively, we just need to play the same way we have all year,” she stated. “Quick ball movement, taking smart shots and making free throws and layups are crucial to beating Farmington.”
