East Bay's Harley has breaks going her way

Shytina Harley doesn't want this season to end.

Too many great things have happened.

Harley, a senior forward for the East Bay girls basketball team reached the 1,000-career point milestone. She's got college interest from University of North Florida, University of Tampa and Fort Valley State University and her team is poised to make things interesting in next week's Class 5A-District 8 tournament.

"I feel like this year, everything is finally paying off," Harley said. "Everything is coming together for me and coming to reality."

That her mother, Army Sgt. Clestine Harley was actually able to witness some of it in person has made this season that much more special. Clestine, who had been stationed overseas and missed all of last season's games, surprised her daughter by showing up at one of her games last month.

"I was playing defense and normally don't look up in the stands but I heard someone call my name and I recognized her voice," Harley said. "I dropped my arms when I saw her, but I didn't give up a basket. I actually ran down the court and made one. I was trying to show off a little bit for her."

Harley learned the game from her mother. Clestine played in high school and actually earned a scholarship to college before joining the Army. It's a sport she's grown to love and wants to continue playing. That's why she puts in the long hours at practice and does everything necessary to become a better player.

"The selfishness obviously comes from her mom," East Bay head coach Terry Varvil said. "She's made the ultimate sacrifice and her mom is a good example for her and she follows. Shytina's our only captain this year. She does everything you ask of her. She'll stay late. She talks the girls up and she's just a great kid."

With seven of the 11-member team underclassmen, Harley's had to become a leader on and off the court.

"She tries to be a vocal leader, but that might not be her strong suit," Varvil said. "She shows my example, which is the best way. Because when she is on the court, she's doing everything she possibly can. She hustles and she doesn't have an attitude. Not once has she said "look at me.

"She just does her job day in and day out and she's done a great job."

Harley holds several East Bay records and could set many more before the end of her senior season. She recently became only the fourth girls basketball player for the Indians to reach the 1,000-point mark and is inching closer and closer to the 1,000-rebound milestone.

Last year, she set the single game record for most blocked shots in a game with 11 against Durant. She also set season marks in 2008-09 with 78 blocks and 301 rebounds.

More important to Harley than individual achievements is the legacy she'll leave behind and knowing she helped turn around a dormant girls program. Before her freshman season in 2006-07, the Indians had gone through 11-straight seasons without double-digit wins.

Harley will graduate having helped lead East Bay to double-digit victories in three of her four years.

"I think the program overall is going to grow," Harley said. "We've been getting better and better. I'm excited to come back and watch them next year to see what they do."

Varvil will have to figure out how to replace Harley next season when she's gone. In the meantime, he wishes he could clone her.

"She's the kid you want," he said. "If you had her disposition and her talent in every five of the starting players, you couldn't lose."