DOVER, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Stewart County girls’ basketball team are playing for a chance for their first region championship in school history on Wednesday night under longtime head coach and Clarksville native Gilbert Harper, who has been with the program since 2011. While they’ve had many tests on the court, their greatest adversity and inspiration may be the events off the court.
The Lady Rebels started the season on fire, winning their first 10 games. However, Harper, who is a Clarksville High graduate and current Clarksville resident, was informed that he would have to have major surgery during the season and had to step away from the team for about two weeks in January. While Harper may have been away, the team fought for him, and assistant coach Boone Smith began to run the show.
“We didn’t know he was going to have to have the surgery until around Christmas,” said Smith. “I coach the middle school as well, so I’ve coached these girls for six or seven years. They were comfortable with me, and we just took it and ran. Our chemistry with the girls was a big factor, and we were able to be very successful. We wanted to have as many losses when he came back as when he left.”
‘The girls and the coaches believed in our system’
While Harper wasn’t able to attend games in person, he would never miss game for his Stewart County squad, as he watched all of their games on stream and would even be on the phone with Smith at halftime.
“I thought they took it in stride and played well through it,” said Harper. “I could watch the games on stream and communicate with my assistant. It was kind of cool watching the games kind of like watching live film. I would call and me and Boone would talk at halftime. The girls and the coaches believed in our system, and made it work.”
After a four-game absence for Harper, he returned to the bench, but let Smith continue to fill in as head coach. Harper missed one more game toward the end of the regular season but now has returned to the sidelines every game since. While it may be better for Harper to rest instead of being in the hectic environment of a high school basketball game, his commitment to the team has willed him to show up for his squad.
“It goes to show you how determined he is as a coach and as a man,” said Smith. “He’s got over 250 career wins for a reason. He wanted to be back for the girls but for us coaches too. I greatly respect him for that, because there were games you could tell he wasn’t well, but he showed up. He’s continued to let me stand, and it’s worked, so he hasn’t changed it. He’s a selfless person, always has been.”
Now, the Lady Rebels have a chance to capture their first region championship in school history against Cheatam County on Wednesday night at Hickman County High School. For Harper and Smith’s squad, it’s about trusting the fight that’s got them there, and continuing to take the next step.
“We want to be the first team in school history to win one,” said Smith. “The girls have fed off that, and our fans have been great for us; they’ve rallied behind us, and Coach Harper, too. These girls have stuck it out under hard circumstances and have shown up every day and competed. We love them, and no matter what happens, they’re the best in our book.”
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