By JACK LeGWIN
Special to ZAGSBLOG
LAKELAND, Fla.– While there were many good freshmen at the FHSAA State Championships over the past week, there was only one who played significant minutes when it mattered in both the State Semifinals and the State Championship game.
His name was McKinley Harvin.
The 6-foot lefty guard for Bartow (Fla.) played 27 minutes in the 7A State Championship game against Matt Milon and Oviedo, hitting two big threes to keep the Yellowjackets in it. In the end, it wasn’t enough as Bartow dropped the 55-52 decision.
“I was just thinking about making the next play and to not think too hard,” Harvin told SNY.tv after the loss. “I just needed to get my team back in it, and we needed it.”
A strong guard who can play at multiple speeds, Harvin can lock down on defense, and bought into his role this year, learning from Wofford-Bound Derrick Brooks.
“Derrick’s like a big brother to me, I looked up to him a lot this season,” Harvin said. “I’ve learned a lot from him, but I’ve got to do a lot this summer to get better and get my team back here next year.”
While Bartow will get multiple starters back next year, including rising junior big man prospect Tony Bradley, as well as dual sport athlete and rising senior, Deyontre Jordan, it will be Harvin’s team to lead next year.
