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Nap, playlist and Northfield senior is ready to play

By Star Tribune, 01/22/13, 5:21PM CST

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Allyson Harris

Northfield senior girls' basketball player Allyson Harris is using her final season as a tune-up for her next stop on the collegiate level.

Harris plans to attend Minnesota Duluth and play in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

The 6-3 center is averaging 18.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. She scored a season-best 29 points in a 55-43 victory over Owatonna.

Harris became the sixth player in the history of the program to score 1,000 career points. She reached the milestone in a 47-36 loss to New Prague in the first game of the new year. Harris finished with 19 points.

Here is a closer look at Harris, who also has participated in tennis and track and field in high school:

The best movie I've seen in the last year? "The Hobbit." I'm a huge fan of the series.

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Sarcastic, open, easygoing.

How did you get started playing basketball? I had an older brother who played, and I was tall, so I was "strongly encouraged" to play. I hated it at first, but after the first year grew to love it.

At my first varsity practice, I felt ... excited and motivated. It was an opportunity that I had been waiting for and I was ready to work hard.

What are your goals for the remainder of the basketball season? To finish my high school career playing the best that I ever have.

What did you work on most prior to the season? In AAU, I focused on playing strong in the post and also worked a lot on my moves facing the basket.

To get focused for a game, I ... always take a nap. Then I listen to my basketball playlist on my iPod.

What is your favorite meal before a game? Every year a family (the Foleys) make a full-out Thanksgiving meal. It's the one everyone looks forward to.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when ... they play behind me in the post.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? My freshman year we won our section final game by one point (44-43 over Owatonna) and went to state. (Northfield lost to Lakeville North 52-33 in the Class 4A quarterfinals.)

How do you balance school and sports during the year? I try to get a lot of my work done at school, so I can do as little at home as possible.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? To have everyone on the team more equally dedicated and there for the same reasons.

In 10 years, I hope I'm ... graduated from school, employed and close to family.

Do you have a secret talent -- and if so, what is it? I can Irish step-dance really well.

 

What is the best sports advice you ever received? If it's important enough, you'll find a way.

RON HAGGSTROM

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