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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2003)
Page B6 ®he Jîorttanô (©beeruer celebrates Black History Month Februaiy 19, 2003 S ports Former Blazer Finds Basketball After Basketball Mike Harper coaches the game he loves and seeks family happiness Bv D avid P lechl T he P ortland O bserver When Harper was dunking on opponents, his size was his great est asset. But sometimes off the court, it proved to be a weakness. “I was always hitting my head,” said Harper. So when he moved into a new southwest Portland office he had custom seven-foot door frames in stalled that give his towering frame a little more head room. The former Trailblazer has been selling insurance for 13 years. It seemed like a natural transition af ter playing pro ball. “I figured business ownership would allow me to be successful but still have enough time for family and community life," said Harper. Above his desk is a picture of photo by M ark W ashington /T he P ortland O bserver him from his college days when his team won three NCAA divison 3 Former Portland Trail Blazer Mike Harper coaches the junior varsity girl's team at Franklin High championships. Harper is coming School. He is also a Seventh grade girl's basketball coach at Rosemont Ridge in West Linn. W oods Scores D e cisiv e W in Tiger Woods watches as he narrowly misses a birdie putt on the f f n hole during the final round o f the Buick Invitational In San Diego Sunday. It was one of the few shots that didn't go his way. Woods four shot victory was the first since being o ff for 2 months following knee surgery. Peninsula Little League Softball and Baseball Signups Ages 5 to 18 in for a dunk and seems propelled “They make me want to coach by some unseen force. basketball," he said. "The kids seem “Once upon a time. I could fly,” to want to learn.” Harper said gleefully. Harper even spends his sum Harper now puts in a lot of time mers coaching at Self Enhancement, at the office, but he isn’t about to Inc., a north and northeast center give up basketball. In fact. Harper is for kids. practically addicted to coaching the Each summer, he gets his play game he loves. ing fix by joining his old teammates Splitting his time between the in the Blazer Reunion Game as a benefit for local charities. “We made a good living but it’s still important for us to give back,” said Harper. Harper’s happy, up-beat attitude is something he extends to every - Former Portland Trail Blazer facet of his life. With three daugh M ike Harper. ters and a son, he needs the energy. Harper takes his daughter to junior varsity girl' s team at Franklin games and his son is scorekeeper for and 7th grade g ir l’s team at his Rosemont Ridge team. He feels Rosemont Ridge in W est Linn, it’s important to include children in Harper said he enjoys the opportu his life daily. Basketball just hap nity to help the girls become better pens to be the most available way. athletes, basketball players and “I guess it’s a selfish way to keep people. them close to m e,” said Harper. “I have the opportunity to help Is there anything in this former the girls be the best they can be,” he Trailblazer’s life that doesn’t re said. volve around basketball? Harper finds inspiration in the Harper flashed his trademark grin girls’ willingness to try and try and smiled widely. again. “Nothing,” he answered happily. Once upon a time, I could fly. I Blazers Muscle Wins After All Star Slump ( AP) — The All-Star break let down is over for the Portland Trail Blazers. After two post-break losses and a hard-fought win over rival Se attle, the Blazers unraveled their knots in a 99-91 victory over the Ne w York Knicks on Monday night. Rasheed W allace scored 23 points and the Blazers got key con tributions from big man Arvydas Sabonis and reserve forward Ruben Patterson. “This was a good showing of what we can do if we all play to gether," Bonzi Wells said. Portland fiddled with com bina tions down the stretch, but seemed New York Knick Othella Harrington 's shot (left) is blocked by the (AP photo) to have the most success with their Blazers ' Rasheed Wallace. Register at Peninsula Park Community Center, 700 N. Portland BI vd. on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon or at B and B T-shirts and More, 204 N. Killingsworth, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tryouts rain or shine on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon at Peninsula Park I 7-foot-3 Lithuanian center in the lineup. Arvitis Sabonis, who returned to the Blazers this season after tak ing last year off, pulled off a perfect behind-the-back pass to Derek Anderson, who hit a 3-pointer to makeit91-81 with4:55 left. “His touch is unbelievable," New Y ork’s Thomas said. Sabonis finished with 10 points, as did Patterson. Zach Randolph came off the bench to score eight points in 12 minutes. Portland, which defeated the Knicks 92-89 at Madison Square Garden earlier this season, has won four of the last five against New York. Second ‘Battle at the Beach’ Coming Chinook Winds Casino and Con in the United States, sanctions the vention Center presents “Battle at boxing extravaganza. Senior youth the Beach II,” Olympic Style Ama boxers, including some Olympic teur Boxing, on March 7. hopefuls, from the age of 11 and up, USA Boxing, the national gov will be featured at this event. The erning body for all amateur boxing fight card is nearly set for ten bouts of three to four rounds with the rounds being one or two minutes each. For more information and to ob tain tickets, call 1-888-624-6228 or Fastixx at 1 -800-992-8499.
