He’s got speed to burn on the basketball court. Calvin senior Kobe Harrison is a gifted athlete who has exceled in track and field and cross country. And his basketball coach Keith Florie says that talent also extends to the hardwoods.

“Kobe is one of the best athletes I’ve had in my 25 years of coaching,” said Florie. “He’s got one speed and that’s all-out.”

Kobe has made All-State in cross country and in the 300-meter hurdles in track where he also runs the 800 meters and the two-mile relay. But as he eyes his senior year, Harrison is thinking about the next level.

“I’ve been offered in track and cross country by Northeastern State, Connors, and Cameron but I’d really like to play basketball in college,” said Kobe who says he will also play some baseball next spring.

In basketball, Harrison’s athletic ability allows him to play just about any position on the floor according to Florie and, now as a senior, the coach has noted some other changes.

“I’ve noticed this year he’s become more unselfish. In a recent game I watched him turn down shots he could have taken to the get the ball to his teammates to score and you just don’t’ see that quality in a lot of kids today.”

Harrison has a throw-back role model that he’s studied.

“My mom and grandpa both played basketball and grew up watching Michael Jordan and got me to look at him. I enjoy watching some of his highlights and just how he played,’ said Kobe.

The Bulldogs got off to a slow start on the season for a good reason according to Florie.

“Most of my returning starters were all on the cross country team and they were at state up until the weekend  before we started practice, so we’ve been adjusting. But I’m real confident in this group and I believe they’ll come along. Their goal is to make state and I believe they have what it takes to do it.”