Kraig Harlow

Welcome to the first weekly column to spotlight deserving coaches, players, support staff or fans in our area. We want to bring you the best in profiles on people making a difference in the lives of our children, their athletic programs and build even stronger sports community. If you have someone in your area you would like to see featured, please call or email Chris LaClair at 603-372-2684 or [email protected]. Enjoy!

By Chris LaClair

EAGLE TIMES SPORTS EDITOR

Today, we feature Kraig Harlow, a successful coach and trainer who has touched a number of lives, instilling solid skills and sportsmanship in our youth. He is a Claremont, NH resident and graduate of Stevens High.

He took his passion for basketball into coaching at the Claremont Community Center. After being noticed for his commitment to developing young players, Joey Craigue took him under his wing at the powerhouse Concord AAU Cap City program. From there, he became the head coach at Fall Mountain Regional High School in Langdon, where he proved to be a coach on the rise. Last season, he was hired as the head coach at Springfield High in Springfield, VT, after four seasons at Fall Mountain.

Harlow trains local athletes during the offseason, runs development clinics and mentors a vast number of players from several local towns.

Question: When did your love of basketball begin?

Answer: I have some fond memories of playing basketball in the backyard with my grandfather. I remember sitting with him, watching the Celtics. I’d always ask him about Kenny Anderson a lot. I was also a fan of Shaq and Penny and when Shaq left for the Lakers, I became a Laker fan. I’d turn TNT on and watch Kobe Bryant play with Shaq. That kept me loving the game. The “3-Peat Lakers” are my favorite teams

Players like Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury were always highlights waiting to happen, which kept me loving basketball into my teen years. When I was 12 or 13, I watched AND1 (a now defunct infamous streetball basketball league) at the time and seeing “Skip to My Lou” play showed me basketball’s art and creativity. Also, Sebastian Telfair’s jump from high school to the pros, which made you believe anything was possible as a basketball player and fan.

Q: What was your first coaching experience?

A: My first coaching experience was at 16 and at 17, at the Goodwin Community Center. I had no idea what I was doing but the kids enjoyed me. Those kids reach out to me today and their grown adults. I started taking it seriously 7 years ago, after coaching a 5/6 boys and I accelerated at it and parents liked my positivity and adaptability, when working with their children. I stayed with it and had the opportunity to coach Varsity basketball.

Q: When did you realize you wanted to make a career out of basketball?

A: I am a physical education and health teacher at Unity Elementary School. I put a lot of time and energy into learning the ins and outs of my profession and am currently going back to school to get my Master’s. I do coach in the spring on the AAU circuit. It’s no different than when you tell kids to work on your game. Iron sharpens Iron.

Q: What is your favorite coaching memory?

A: I have so many favorite coaching memories. Recently, my favorite memories at Springfield were when we beat both Long Trail and Windsor. Those two games will be cherished by me as a first-year varsity coach. I can look back at my time at Fall Mountain, when we went 14-4 as a JV program. I think of my Claremont Middle School days, 6 years ago, when the B-team played a great game vs the A-team. Those boys meant the world to me. They graduated this year, which reminds you how quickly time moves. All these kids have positive energy and support of one another. That’s really my favorite part of coaching.

Q: Besides the financial aspect, why do you commit so much personal time to train individuals with private sessions?

A: I invest most of my time into them because if someone wants to be the best version of themselves as a basketball player, and if I can help them, then it’s worth it to me. I am just passing down what others have taught me through the years.

Q: What are your long-term goals in basketball?

A: Seneca said, “The whole future lies in uncertainty; live immediately.” Currently, I’m focused on coaching Springfield Cosmos Boys Basketball; developing and establishing a culture. I want to focus on impacting the lives of these boys and watch them grow into great young men. They’re some of the best kids I’ve coached. I am loving my time here.

Q: What is the best advice you ever received?

A: You can’t skip any steps, not only in basketball, but in life. You have to put the work in, whether it’s your career, education, sport or friendships. You get what you put into life. Everything is a steppingstone to the next journey.

Q: What is the best advice you can give a young player who wants to excel in their craft?

A: Put your cell phone down, log out of Tik-Tok, and wait before responding to every Snapchat. Etch out some time in your day to work on your game. Put an hour into your game. Take that same mindset and put it to something you want to be great at, outside of sports. Take time and develop your craft, study the greats and keep learning. Also, players need to put themselves first and take care of your mental health. Don’t burn out. Take time to recharge.

Q: What is the biggest mistake a player can make?

A: Poor body language and negative attitudes. Be willing to listen and communicate with people. It’s a skill that will take you far in life and you can apply it off the basketball court.