10 years later, former HSE star, Magic guard Gary Harris reflects on sectional game-winner

ORLANDO — Magic guard Gary Harris will never forget where he was Feb. 28, 2012, inside a packed gym at Noblesville High School during the opening round of sectionals. It was his senior year, and the Michigan State recruit was leading Class 4A No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern against No. 3 North Central.

The game was tied with 4.6 seconds left and HSE had possession with a chance to inbound the ball at half court. All eyes were on Harris, who'd been herculean down the stretch, but would he really do the impossible?

One miracle bank shot later, the answer to that question was, "Yes."

"I got the ball, was able to hit a spin move and I shot it and it went in," Harris said Wednesday, hours before Orlando hosted the Pacers. "Everybody went crazy! Everybody stormed the floor! I celebrate, and I see everybody storming the court after me, I run into the hallway, everybody followed me into the hallway, and I come back to the court, everybody followed me back to the court. So it was fun, especially in high school, senior year.

"(I) ended up winning (IndyStar) Mr. Basketball, so it's definitely like a huge memory I'mma always remember."

Monday marked the 10-year anniversary of Harris' game-winner, which completed a miraculous comeback by HSE and broke North Central's heart with an 86-83 victory. The twirling 3-pointer claimed the No. 1 spot on ESPN SportCenter's Top Ten plays that night and has become one of the most famous shots in Indiana high school basketball history.

Harris finished with a game-high 35 points, scoring 31 in the second half, and none were bigger than the most clutch shot of his prep career. He's reminded of that improbable 3 every year via social media.

"It's just crazy to know that was 10 years ago," Harris said. " ... You look at it like, 'Damn, it wasn't that long ago,' but it really was that long ago. Good times, good memories. My whole family remembers that, my friends, we remember that whole night."

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said he wasn't familiar with Harris' game-winner, but after watching it on cellphone at shootaround Wednesday, he'd like to see him do it again.

"You know what? We just put in an out of bounds play like that today. It wasn't him shooting it over three people," Mosley said, laughing. "But we'll try to work something out. ... That is amazing!"

HSE never made it past the sectional round, losing in an upset to Carmel in the championship, but Harris said he is proud to be a part of what he considers one of his home state's premier high school classes.

The 2012 HSE alum was ranked as the No. 2 in senior in the Hoosier State, according to 247Sports, behind Lake Central's Glenn Robinson III, who starred at Michigan and played for the Pacers from 2015-18. Yogi Ferrell, who led Park Tudor to the Class 2A state title, was ranked third and went on to play for IU and in the NBA, too. Harris and Ferrell were each selected as McDonald's All-Americans.

"Basketball during that time, it was competitive. It was fun," Harris said. " ... So just being a part of history, especially a good time in Indiana high school basketball (means a lot)."

Harris added that he was inspired by his predecessors, including Lawrence North duo Greg Oden and Mike Conley, who won three straight Class 4A state crowns from 2004-06 before both became top-five NBA draft picks; and North Central's Eric Gordon and East Chicago Central's E'Twaun Moore, who squared off in the 2007 Class 4A state championship before facing each other again in the NBA.

Moore was Harris' teammate in Orlando this season before being waived last month.

"I remember E'Twaun played Eric Gordon in the state championship and they beat them!" Harris said. "Me and E'Twaun, we used to sit next to each other on the plane, so that's like an Indiana legend. I remember him playing at Purdue, so (I'm) just being thankful, grateful, being able to play with some of the Indiana greats."

Harris spent two seasons at Michigan State, where he was named the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Big Ten the following season.

The 6-foot-4 guard was drafted 19th overall by the Bulls in 2014 and traded to the Nuggets on draft night. Harris spent more than six seasons in Denver — highlighted by another buzzer-beating, game-winning 3 against the Thunder — before being traded again to the Magic. 

"We had some dinner reservations (that night in Denver), so I'm like, 'Yo, let's go! I gotta go get to the dinner reservations!'" Harris said, laughing as he reminisced. "And everybody followed me again (after I made the shot), so I might have to hit another one this year pretty soon to keep the tradition going."

Harris is in his eighth NBA campaign with career averages of 11.4 points on 43.9% shooting overall and 38.1% on 3-pointers entering Wednesday night against Indiana.

The 27-year-old said his 17-year-old self would be thrilled with everything he's accomplished in the decade since he lifted HSE to a walk-off win. He hopes that his alma mater, which faces Westfield on Friday, fittingly, at Noblesville, can go further than his senior class did.

"Go ‘head and whoop the Shamrocks and keep it moving," Harris said, laughing. "I wish them the best of luck. Hopefully they make a far run in the tournament and win a state championship."

Follow IndyStar Pacers beat writer James Boyd on Twitter: @RomeovilleKid. Reach him via email: jboyd1@gannett.com.