Friday, Nov. 13, 2009

SWIC's Harrington is close to milestone win

His next victory will be No. 700

BELLEVILLE -- Reaching milestones have never meant much to Southwestern Illinois College men's basketball coach Jay Harrington.

For 31 years, Harrington has been one of the country's top junior college coaches and for the past decade, his teams have averaged over 24 wins per season while playing a schedule usually ranked among the nation's most difficult.

His players have gone on to compete at major colleges such as Indiana, Marquette, Purdue, Alabama, Minnesota and Kentucky.

But for all his accomplishments, Harrington's top priority remains the long-term success of his players as good productive citizens.

Despite being on the verge of his 700th career coaching win, Harrington remained unimpressed.

"It's just a number. That and it means that I'm old,'' Harrington said. "Seriously, though we've got a season to play and I've got a bunch of good kids that I have to help them get through and help find them places to play after they leave here.

"I've been a very fortunate man in that I've had a lot of excellent assistant coaches and great players and more important, great young men, to coach over the years.

"Like I've always said, it's not about me it's about helping the kids.''

Victory No. 700 won't come easy tonight as the Blue Storm takes on national power Highland College from Freeport in the second of two games at the Southwestern Illinois College Tournament.

Illinois Central College, ranked seventh in the NJCAA Division II poll, will take on Moberly, (Mo.) College in the 6 p.m. opener.

Moberly is coached by Jay Spoonhour, son of former St. Louis University coach Charlie Spoonhour.

The host Blue Storm will take on Highland at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Illinois Central will play Highland at 1 p.m. with SWIC taking on Moberly at 3 p.m.

"We had a tournament a few years ago, but it really wasn't a very strong event. This one is loaded,'' Harrington said. "We've got three of the top recruiting services in the nation coming in to watch these kids play. Of the four teams, I'd say you've got 12-to-15 future Division I players who will be here this weekend.''

"We just hope people come out and enjoy what we think will be four excellent basketball games.''

SWIC enters today at 3-1 following a 68-66 win over Mineral Area College on Tuesday as sophomore guard Tommy Pelczynski hit a 10-foot jumper with four seconds left to give the Blue Storm the win.

SWIC was ranked sixth in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll. The Blue Storm's four games have been decided by a total of 10 points.