Suncoast Star Triumphs in Shocking Final Beatdown!
Suncoast's Jamarey Harris led his team to a state title, dedicating the win to his late younger brother George.
Suncoast senior Jamarey Harris brought a piece of his heart onto the court at the University of North Florida on March 12 as the Chargers celebrated the program's first state title since 1990 . Harris, a senior and integral part of Suncoast's championship team, was surrounded by jubilant teammates, coaches and family members, but he was most affected by someone who wasn't there. His younger brother, George, was one of his biggest supporters and often sent Harris supportive texts to motivate him prior to games.
George died in January 2024 after he was shot while playing video games in his Miami Gardens home. No one was charged in the incident, which was ruled by investigators to be an accident involving children handling a firearm. Suncoast's state championship, a monumental achievement for the Riviera Beach school, meant even more to Harris as a "tribute" to his lost family member.
"My memories with him ... just him just giving me little texts and stuff like that, just motivation, like, 'You've got to keep going, man' and those little messages that he left with me," Harris said. "I just keep them in the back of my head every time I'm playing.
" More: Suncoast boys basketball wins first state title since 1990 Harris said he still sometimes texts his brother before games. "Even though I know he won't respond, I still text him before my games and just tell him, 'This one's for you,' or whatever," Harris said. "Even though I know he won't respond, it's just kind of like a little motivation to keep me pushing and know that he's still supporting me.