Harbour Seeks to Confine Outbursts to the Scoring Variety

David Harbour established himself two seasons ago as an explosive scorer on the basketball court with a shooting range that at times seemed limitless.

As a sophomore at Camarillo High in 1988-89, Harbour averaged 21.1 points and was named All-Ventura County. Last season, he was an All-Southern Section Division II selection who averaged 27 points despite defenses that were up-close and personal.

Last week, he again showed why he is the single biggest cause of headaches among Marmonte League coaches.

Harbour, a 6-foot-3 senior guard who has orally committed to Stanford, scored 64 points in a pair of wins that elevated the Scorpions (8-2 overall, 2-0 in league play) into a tie with Channel Islands for first place.

In an 87-73 win over Agoura, Harbour scored 36 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and twice exhibited his explosive touch.

Harbour, who is averaging 26.6 points, scored nine points in a two-minute span of the third quarter, including consecutive three-point baskets on a fast break. And, when Agoura pestered the Scorpions into the middle of the fourth quarter, Harbour added a five-point outburst in a 1 1/2-minute span that finally took the charge out of the Chargers.

When Camarillo traveled to a hot and crowded Thousand Oaks gym Friday, Harbour celebrated his 18th birthday with 28 points and five assists in a 96-76 win over Thousand Oaks. During a 17-0 run by Camarillo that cinched the win, Harbour hit consecutive jump shots and scored six points.

As a last resort late in the game, Thousand Oaks sent Harbour to the free-throw line, where he had converted only 19 of 45 (42%) in his previous four games. Harbour hit six of eight in the fourth quarter and converted three consecutive one-and-ones.

But Harbour’s explosiveness does not end with his ability to score. Too often, he concedes, his competitive nature leads to emotional outbursts on the floor.

Last season, he engaged in shouting matches with his father and then-coach, John. He yelled at teammates when they played poorly. He screamed at officials after calls.

John Harbour, sensing he was applying too much pressure on his son, resigned as coach. This season, David vowed, his own attitude would be different. Has it been?

“There are times when I could act better,” he said. “But that’s the way I play. I’m very competitive, and sometimes I have to watch myself, but I think I’ve been pretty good this year.”

Harbour has improved, in part, because he is surrounded with more talent, which has helped relieve the pressure of carrying last year’s scoring load.

Another key has been his father’s move to the bleachers.

“There is a lot less pressure at home,” David said. “My dad is more of a friend now.”

With a scholarship already in hand, David is able to concentrate on the team’s success.

“He occasionally forces some shots, but he knows it and has responded well,” Camarillo Coach Mike Prewitt said. “He’s worked hard at sharing the ball.”

He also has worked toward curtailing his outbursts.

“I still need to not let anything bother me and (to) play at an even keel the whole game,” he said.