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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 2003)
®Ije Çortlanii ©baeruer celebrates Black History Month February 26, 2003 Page A7 Lincoln High School Dream Team ---- ■ photo by W ynde D yer /T he P ortland O bserver Lincoln High School players get along well with Coach Troy Berry, but also afford him a great deal o f respect. continued “Lincoln has an appetite for winning,” Berry said. "These are really exciting times right now and I’m glad to be here.” Others are likewise glad to have him. On top of revitalizing the program in just a few years. Berry has Division 1 college coaches visiting to recruit his kids and players eager to perform well on and off the court. from Front took over five years ago and now ranks 15-1 in league, he might be celebrating his 40“ birthday this year as his team celebrates winning the state championship. After high school. Berry was drafted into minor league base ball by the Philadelphia Philly’s, where he played out three sea sons before returning to basket ball at San Francisco City Col lege. His two years of junior college , basketball landed him a position on the Oregon State lineup, along with G ary Payton o f Seattle • Supersonic’s fame. A fter college Berry settled down to start a family. He and his wife have two sons, Troy and Branden, who both play basket ball and a daughter, Ashley, who is a student at University of Or - Lincoln Freshman Coach Brett Carson on Varsity Coach Troy B e n ^ egon. “My boys will both be pretty good ball players,” Berry said. “H e’s a winner and a motiva “But not Ashley - the makeup's tor,” said Brett Carson, Lincoln’s too perfect, the nails are too long freshman boy’s basketball coach. and she does too much catalog “I call him a manipulator of young shopping to have time for basket men’s minds - and I say that in a ball.” very positive way. He gets the After a stint of coaching junior kids to feel good and in return varsity basketball at Benson, they play good. His players have Berry got the offer to coach for a tremendous amount of respect Lincoln. The school ’ s basketbal 1 for him.” program hadn ’ t won a city cham Berry ’ s players agree. They de pionship since 1964. Berry knew scribe him as a perfectionist, some he would be at the helm of a sink- one who always pushes them to • ing ship, but he also knew it was be the best they can be - in his chance to be a head coach for school, in life and on the court. a school with high academic stan “He’s had a profound effect on dards and a desire to improve it's my career in basketball and on my sports program. life,” said senior player Neal I call him a manipulator o f young men ’s minds - and I say that in a very positive way. Zumwalt. “H e’s always very nice and approachable but he de mands perfection.” The high standard Berry sets ru b b ed sop h o m o re fo rw ard Latravis Turner the wrong way when he was a freshman. Turner, one of just three African Ameri can players on the Lincoln team who commute to school from Portland's eastside, said when he joined the team he had troubles but Berry helped to put them in perspective. “I had an attitude problem and because of it, 1 was having prob lems in practice and outside of school,” Turner said. “He told me to be more humble and I realized that I don’t want to end up on the streets or in ja il.” Turner said Berry has been a good role model for him in a school where he rarely sees other black faces. “It’s a whole different envi ronment up here,” he said. “I’m not used to be around all these proper talking kids and stuff. But coach is always there when you need him and he’S always good to be around.” As far as Berry is concerned, Lincoln was the first school to offer him a head coaching posi tion and he will always be grate ful for that regardless of the school’s location or demograph ics. “Other people may look at it like, ‘W hat’s he doing coaching on the W estside?’” Berry said. “But this school gave me a chance so I can't worry about what other people think.” « Coach Harris Leads By Example z ; ------------------------------------ — — ---I---------■--- Lincoln High Coach Velaida Harris directs her players at a recent game. Harris calls the playoff bound girls one o f her most talented teams. P hoto by D avid P lechl /T hf . P ortland O bserver continued from Front and life skills, you get to watch them grow,” she said. “You’re do ing something that these kids love." But when it comes down to per formance in life and basketball the key is the same — respect. Harris cultivates a meaningful rapport with the girls off the court well. “I know the girls. They’re com fortable talking to me about a lot of things," she said. “They know we wouldn't lead them in the wrong direction." The girls are certain not to stray from the straight and nar row if they follow their coach’s I Salutes Black History for 2003 Located at: 3210 NE MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. Blvd & 5939 NE MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. Blvd ■ “We have a wonderful history behind us . . 1 Carter G. Woodson, Founder o f Black History Month The City of Portland, Multnomah County and the Port of Portland proudly honor the accomplishments of Black Americans and their contributions to our economic and social equity. We have a wonderful future before us! 'I f It's not just about basketball... It's about being a respectful young lady - Lincoln High School Coach Valalda Hants handful of basic precepts on life and respect. “The ‘Velaida Rules' are things I don’t let them do around me," she said. That means no spitting, no cussing and no disrespect to par ents. “It’s not just about basketball,” said Harris. “It's about being a re spectful young lady.” Apparently it’s also about being a dam good basketball player. Harris' players are showing no signs at slowing down. And with just four seniors she expects to come out strong again next year. "This is a good group,” she said. “Collectively it’s my most talented II. team.” MULTNOMAH COUNTY Herman Brame: (503) 988-5111 Ext. 24266 www.co.multnomah.or.us/contracts CITY OF PORTLAND Bureau o f Purchases Buyline: (503) 823-6855 www.ci.portland.or.us/purchase/purchase.htm PORT OF PORTLAND FaxBack Line: (503) 944-7592 Rhonnda Edmiston: (503) 944-7587 www.portofportland.com 4
