AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFor Tucker’s Hartry, it’s all about loud
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You know James Hartry. Or you’ve seen him. Or heard about him. If not, here’s the introduction.
Hartry is the Tucker High coach with the loudest mouth in the state. The coach with the loudest suits in the state. And the coach with the most heart palpitations in the state.
He coaches a game the way a bowling ball crashes through pins. His voice is always hoarse because he’s always yelling — even when not on the bench.
And guess what: He’s good at what he does. Very good. Thursday night at Marietta High was a case in point. In the Class AAAA second-round game against feisty Lithia Springs, Hartry made the game’s biggest adjustment in an 81-70 victory.
The victory pushed his record to a remarkable 83-9 in the past three years. His teams played in the championship game in 2005 and made the Final Four last season.
This year’s team is more talented and well-rounded, but it was shaky early. Meanwhile, Lithia Springs opened the game as if shot out of a hydraulic. They scratched (literally: See Jeremy Simmons’ face) and scurried and shot from great distance, building as much as a 9-point lead before Tucker shook the jitters.
Problem was, while Hartry was practically bursting blood vessels on the sideline, he calmed his team. And after trailing only by 2 at the break, he instituted a full-court press that rattled the Lions and took their legs from them.
So their jump shots came up short, and Tucker’s inside might with 6-foot-8 Simmons (19 points) and 6-5 Chevy Wilson (25 points) wore down the Lions.
But it was not easy. The Tigers had to overcome too many turnovers, a mind-boggling 22 missed free throws and even a scorebook snafu. With 3:11 left in the game, Hartry was called to the scorer’s table and told that his team’s 10-point lead was just 69-61. Somehow, at that point of the game, two Lithia Springs points appeared.
Hartry was livid. But he kept his composure long enough not to let his team deviate from their fine second-half play. Not until the final seconds did Hartry cease yelling.
“I have a personal relationship with my guys,” he said, explaining his tirades. “When I let them see that side of me, they know I’m not happy, and they tend to respond to it.
“Half the time,” he adds, laughing, “I don’t even know what I’m doing.”
He was so animated earlier this season that he had to miss a game because of a rapid heartbeat. Part of the reason for Hartry’s craze this year is his team. It is richly talented, but highly uninspired. Sometimes his players’ cool nicely offsets his rantings.
“We’ve been here before,” Simmons said. “We might have been too relaxed early, but we still kept our calm when they got [ahead]. And you see the results.”
Lithia Springs put up an admirable fight. Coach Jason Slate is very solid — and nearly as fiery as Hartry. But that’s where the similarities end. Slate’s game attire Thursday: khakis, work boots, a flannel shirt and sweater vest.
Hartry sweated out a suit and tie, cuff-links and alligator shoes.
No matter to him. If you know Hartry at all, you know it’s all about teaching young men and winning for him — in that order.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Teacher Teacher
March 2, 2007 7:32 AM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of teaching Coach Hartry’s daughter when she was in the ninth grade. If you think he is a great basketball coach, he’s an even better father.
By Ultimate Fan
March 2, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this
However Coach Hartry has really distinguished himself with what he has done with this team. His previous teams (expecially last year’s team) were much deeper and more athletic. What he has gotten out of this team is beyond what anyone could have expected. Considering he only returned one starter (Jeremy Simmons) and only one player who averaged in double figures this exceeds a great job - this is an outstanding job.
By Ernest
March 2, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
I had the chance recently to meet Coach Hartry after a game. He’s got a GREAT sense of humor also. I’m probably more impressed by him as a person, which says a lot.
By Ben Lewis
March 2, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this
Coach Hartry is already something of a legend in his own time, not just for his winning teams, but for his demeanor. He’s one of those true “characters” that make sports great.
By coach bias
March 2, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
good luck to the tucker tigers and their fans. if we cannot win the championship this year, i would like to say that we lost to the champs. having coached against the tigers i must say that what impressed me most about the tigers is not their talent but the character of the young men in good and bad times of last nights games. that to me speaks volumes about the parents and the coaching that those young men have received. GOD bless and when you face columbia the third time, take it to them
By Carie M. Cato
March 2, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Thank you for the very descriptive and complimentary article about our Coach Hartry! Tucker High is so proud (and lucky) to have him, both on the courts (he also coaches our girl’s tennis team) and in the classroom!
We love our “loud” coach and what he does for the students of THS! He is one reason Tucker is the great school that it is.
By David Childers
March 2, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Coach Hartry coached my son Andrew for 4 years through Tucker and he was like a father to him when we went through a sleen injury Andrew’s senior season. Andrew still looks up to and considers the Coach a close friend! A Gentleman, Scholar, and fine Coach, I am glad to consider James Hartry a good friend! GO TIGERS!
By thomas
March 2, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
i hope he loses next game end of story
By thomas
March 2, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
i hope he loses next game end of story
By Beg to differ
March 2, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
He does scream and put on a show, but can he really coach. He has had the best talent at AAAA for the past 3 years and won’t win again this year. And besides, before he started doing all this recruiting, he was 36 and 72 his first 4 years. He has great assistants, because his team this year is more disciplined than any before. Oh and by the way, they will probably lose to Stone Mountain tomorrow. Game over.
By Judy Spain
March 3, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
It has been my priviledge and honor to have gotten to know the MAN, Coach James Hartry! Not a bigger heart nor caring ( for his boys & students) person will you find. Tucker High School is truly fortunate to have such a teacher and Coach! This is what makes Tucker High a great place to be…COACH, YOU AND THE BOYS BRING IT HOME THIS TIME!
By The Truth
March 3, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
coach Hartry is the Berny Mac of high school basketball. A real classy type of guy..
By Varsity Cheerleader
March 6, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this
I LOVE COACH HARTRY TO DEATH HE IS A LIKE A FATHER TO ANYONE HE TEACHES. WHENEVER I HAVE A PROBLEM I WOULD GO TO HIM AND HE WOULD HELP ME IN ANY WAY HE CAN. I AM SO PROUD OF THE BOYS ON OUR B-BALL TEAM I LOVE CHEERING FOR THEM AND WE ARE GOING TO BE STATE CHAMPS SO ALL THE HATERS GET READY TO HATE!! FINAL FOUR HERE WE COME…CHAMPIONSHIP GET READY 4US
By ted
March 7, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this
I am in agreement with the guy who said can Coach Hartry really coach. That answer is no. Tucker boys have gone to state 3yrs in a row and its the same result, he relies on one player not the entire team and it shows. Anyway, Phillip McCrary is a true coach. Unlike Tucker, they always play as a team. They share the ball, not just one player is shining, they all shine. A few of the guys should have transferred over to Columbia. One in particular, but I want say who. I think everybody knows.
By paul
March 7, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this
Hartry has had a talented team for the past 3yrs, but how many of the those guys got scholarships through his help. Damien Duncan went to Junior college, Cameron will be at Tennesse this year and that’s probably because of his AAU coach and Dad and let’s not forget the big guy George Akepele who was the only senior last year to get a scholarship to Grambling University and he hardly played. I wonder who is he helping this year? I think its a shame to have these guys work hard for you for years and you can’t even pick up the phone an make a phone call. If they win tonight against North Clayton, he had better get his act together and teach his team to play as a team or they will be @ home again this year.
By Alvin
March 14, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
People often times get really confused when a team has players that really step up and do it consistently, as if the coach somehow just anointed a player as his go to guy. Coach rely on players who put themselves in position to be reliable. Tucker has been fortunate to have some really talented players, and players who consistently play at a high level, but the supporting cast has not always played consistently at that level. This year for one night the players played the game of there lives and executed well in all phases of the game, coaching included. Everybody that needed to step up…did… but that’s all it was and be proud of that.