Crimson Wave basketball star was Mr. Basketball in 1995

PETERSBURG - Speaking at the Fifth Annual Petersburg Athletic Hall of Fame banquet on April 27, Marco Harrison said he never considered the significance of his career accomplishments, until he was notified of his induction into the hall of fame.

"I was just playing ball, honestly," Harrison said. "It was not until I had to think of what I had accomplished, that I said, 'I guess that was alright.'"

The 6-foot-9-inch Harrison towered over the podium and dais of honorees that night, and despite his modesty, his accomplishments are equally towering.

Harrison played basketball for the Crimson Wave from 1992-95, culminating in a highly accomplished senior year in which he averaged a double-double, 19 points and 19 rebounds, along with 6 blocks. He was named Central District Player of the Year and Virginia Mr. Basketball, among many other accolades.

After graduation from Petersburg, he played basketball for a year at N.C. State, before transferring to Saint Paul's College, where he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. He served as an assistant coach there for two years upon graduation, before beginning an 18-year career as a math teacher and basketball coach at the middle and high school level in both Virginia and North Carolina.

Quite a list of accomplishments for someone who was, "just playing ball."

But he says, none of it would have happened without the late Bill Lawson Jr., the legendary basketball coach and athletic director at PHS.

"I was not a basketball player, I was an at-risk kid with height and natural, but undeveloped, talent," Harrison said, after pausing to collect his emotions. "Fortunately for me, Coach Lawson saw purpose."

Lawson was the guide for Harrison to escape his at-risk upbringing.

"When I did not show up at practice, Coach showed up at the river," Harrison said, to laughter. "Through life challenges, he developed me and my basketball skill. I developed a love for the game.

"He did not just prepare me for a future in basketball, but a future beyond basketball," he said.

Harrison expressed gratitude to the Lawson family, for "sharing him with me."

Now, years later, as a coach and educator himself, Harrison more deeply understands what Lawson meant to him.

"My story has included, teaching, coaching girls and boys basketball -- who are now young men and women, but still think enough of me to call me 'Coach,'" Harrison said. "Several of them now coach, that's the power of paying it forward."

And looking back at it all, Harrison is grateful for the journey which has now led him to the Petersburg Athletic Hall of Fame.

"What a sweet, Crimson Wave ride to my purpose," he said.

Jeff Milby can be reached at jmilby@progress-index.com or 804-722-5151. Follow him on twitter @JeffMilby.