In the small community of Happy Camp, two brothers have quietly revolutionized the local basketball program, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the court. Ben Harrison, the junior high coach, and Kevin Harrison, the high school coach, have built a comprehensive basketball culture that develops not just skilled players, but young people of character.
“Ben Harrison never imagined becoming a coach. It all began during a group camping trip to Marble Mountain with a 6th grader. There, someone approached him about coaching youth basketball.”
“I almost backed out,” Ben recalls with a laugh. “We were kids ourselves, barely out of high school. What did I know about coaching?”
Despite his hesitation, something about the opportunity resonated with him. Before he knew it, he had assembled a team and they were off playing travel ball.
For Kevin Harrison, Ben’s older brother, the coaching path began similarly unexpectedly, but at an even younger age.
“I started as an assistant under Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery when I was just 19,” Kevin explains. “By 21, I became the head high school coach at Happy Camp.”
When asked about his motivation, Kevin’s answer reveals the depth of his commitment. “I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I wanted to see them succeed and get out of here if that was their wish.”
Ben’s coaching journey now spans more than a decade. When he started, he had no nephews on the team. Today, his roster includes his own son, nephews, and cousins.
“It’s so great to be involved and see that they are thriving with a forward future,” Ben shares, his pride evident.
While Ben focuses on developing younger players at the 5th-8th grade level, Kevin has been building the high school program, creating a seamless pipeline of talent and character development.
“You see a real change in October when the season starts,” Kevin observes. “They settle down in school, focus more, and their attitudes improve. I run a tight ship. I want them to be the best they can at all times, following the rules.”
This complementary approach has allowed the brothers to establish a consistent basketball philosophy from junior high through high school.
Early in his coaching career, Ben learned valuable lessons about structure that have shaped his approach.
“I could not let them just play 5-on-5 without a referee—they GO NUTS and play so hard that half the players got injured right away,” Ben explains with a chuckle. Now, he divides practice time more strategically: one group works directly with him on plays while the other focuses on drills, then they switch places.
Kevin’s coaching philosophy similarly emphasizes discipline and work ethic.
“It’s a work ethic thing,” Kevin elaborates. “I tell them to treat it like a job: work hard, do more, do the right thing. I want to give them something to look up to.”
This approach has paid dividends in the classroom as well as on the court. The basketball program has become an anchor for many students, providing structure and purpose beyond school hours.
“The after-school hours could be spent in a lot of different ways, not all of them productive,” Ben points out. “Here, they’re developing skills, building character, and being part of something meaningful.”
The 2024-2025 season has been particularly successful for Ben’s team, with an impressive 14-game winning streak before finally experiencing a loss.
“They took it well,” Ben notes with approval. “That says everything about their character.”
What stands out most about these young athletes is their sportsmanship and resilience. Even when facing bigger, stronger teams from city schools, they never give up.
Ben recalls with pride how his team once rallied from a ten-point deficit in the final minutes to defeat Westwood. “It was one 3-pointer after another,” he says, smiling at the memory.
Kevin has observed the same fighting spirit in his high school players.
“Sure, our smaller guys get frustrated facing full-court presses from bigger, stronger teams,” Kevin acknowledges, “but they don’t quit. That’s what works.”
Both brothers can recount impressive comeback victories. Last year against Butte Valley, Ben’s team was down by seven points with just 1:40 left on the clock but managed to pull off a win.
“In another instance at a Crescent City tournament,” Ben shares, “we trailed 21-9 until the final quarter before staging a comeback victory.”
“It’s the endurance and drive,” Ben explains. “Our little guys get mad at being in full-court presses with much larger and stronger teams, but they don’t give up, and that gets them the win… it works.”
When asked about coaching their own family members, both brothers take similar approaches that reveal their coaching philosophy.
“They don’t get to back talk,” Ben states firmly. “If anything, I expect more from them because we don’t play favorites.”
Kevin nods in agreement. “The name on the jersey matters more than the name on the birth certificate. We’re expecting more because we don’t do favorites.”
This strict-but-fair approach has earned them respect, not just from their own family members but from every player who comes through the program.
The brothers are quick to credit the community support that makes their basketball program possible.
“The kids love to play ball,” Kevin reflects, “and they will travel far for a weekend of fun.”
Transportation for games has been entirely coordinated by parents and families—neither team has used a school van or bus all season.
“The parents caravan together, making the whole experience feel like a mini road trip,” Ben explains.
The community support extends beyond just rides; families often travel together and have even found Airbnbs where they can stay as a team during travel games.
“Those coastal tournaments are something the kids look forward to all season,” Ben adds. “When the whole team stays together, it becomes this incredible bonding experience.”
This level of involvement creates something special, with players understanding that being on the team is a privilege that requires maintaining good grades and positive attitudes.
Like many programs, the Harrison brothers’ basketball teams faced significant challenges during the COVID pandemic.
“COVID knocked the hell out of the team, it was hard,” Ben remembers. To maintain some semblance of competition during that difficult period, they organized Boys vs. Girls games.
Kevin picks up the story: “The following year, we were back up to fifteen players. It showed how resilient these kids could be.”
One of the brothers’ favorite developments came during this difficult period—the installation of lighting on the outdoor courts, allowing for evening play during the summer when temperatures cool off.
“Stop on by this summer and grab a late-night game of ball,” they invite in unison. “If the lights are on, we are on the court.”
Through their dedicated coaching, the Harrison brothers have built more than just successful basketball teams at Happy Camp School District—they’ve created a community where young athletes learn valuable life skills while experiencing the joy of the game.
“This is where the magic happens,” Ben says, gesturing around the busy gymnasium. “Between that final school bell and dinner time, we’re building not just basketball players but young men and women with purpose.”
Kevin reflects on their shared mission: “For us, this isn’t just about after-school activities. We’re building a program that connects the junior high to the high school, creating a basketball culture that these kids can be proud of.”
Their commitment to player development, both on and off the court, continues to shape the lives of the young people they coach, providing structure, discipline, and opportunities that extend far beyond basketball.
In Happy Camp, the Harrison brothers’ influence extends far beyond the scoreboard—it’s measured in the character they help build, the futures they help shape, and the community they help strengthen, one practice at a time.
I’d just like to thank a few special people. I’d like to thank my mother Dorcas Harrison for always being in my corner and raising my on love and respect. Without her I wouldn’t be the man I am today And my father Joe Frank Harrison Jr. I’d also like to thank my older brothers Mario Gomez, Robert “Bobby” Perez and Bubba Perez for always pushing me in sports and helping my parents develop me into the man/coach/athlete I am today. To my coaches Buster Atttevery, Danny McCarthy and John Kufner for their time and dedication and for aways pushing me to be better than I was the day before. Most importantly I’d like to thank my significant other Breann Cortes for being my rock at home and eventhough I give up precious time with her and my daughter Kylie Harrison to be a coach, Breann has always supported, loved and pushed me to better a better human being and a better coach. Breann goes to every home game and if she could make it to our away games she’d be there, not just to support me but to support the kids as well. I love her for that.
Kevin Harrison
