Weiser High School names new girls hoops coach

Life has come almost full circle for Laraine (Skow) Harrison, a former standout varsity basketball player at Weiser High School who went on to play college basketball and coach at Pocatello and Emmett.
 The Weiser High School administration recently announced the hiring of Harrison to lead the girls basketball program last week. She brings credentials as both a top player in high school and college and a winning coach.
 A 2000 graduate of Weiser High School, Harrison played four years at Idaho State University on a basketball scholarship.
 She takes charge of the Lady Wolverines after successful stints leading programs at Emmett High School and Pocatello High School.
 She started her head coaching career at Pocatello, where she took the girls program and turned it into a state contender. Her five seasons there produced two third-place trophies. She then took over as the head coach in Emmett, where her team won a consolation trophy in 2016.
 “We are excited to have Laraine take charge of our girls basketball program,” WHS athletic director Tyler Grant said. “Having someone of her caliber and experience will be a wonderful addition to our athletic department. Her commitment to building well-rounded young women that succeed in the classroom, on the court, and as adults will be so beneficial for current and future student-athletes.”
 Harrison said it was kind of a dream she had to someday come back to her hometown and coach.
 “I am very honored to be named the next Weiser girls basketball coach.  I hope to continue and build on the tradition Weiser has in athletics, and I hope to build and strengthen the winning tradition in girls basketball,” she said.
 Harrison said she plans to jump into organizing the program immediately and scheduling summer basketball camps and tournaments, which fill up quickly. She will meet with potential players this week at the high school.
 She said her style of play will be up tempo on both offense and defense. She wants players to be quick on transition and work toward the best shots. She is a believer in defense and the notion that the defense transitions into offense and scoring.
 While girls basketball season won’t officially start until Nov. 4, Harrison will undoubtedly be hard at work this summer to start meeting student-athletes and getting ready for the upcoming season. Her first game will be Nov. 16 against Emmett, while her first home game will be Nov. 22 against Caldwell.
 Harrison takes over the program from Nick Reed who stepped down in March after 11 years as the head girls basketball coach, and more than 20 years as a coach in the girls basketball program.