Although he was still a child, Scott Hartbarger remembers a few things when his dad coached the men’s basketball team at Western Carolina University.
Jim Harbarger coached the Catamounts from 1969-75. The son remembers his father being tough on the players while also treating them like family.
“Every Sunday they were at the house; Mom was cooking for them,” Hartbarger said.
“I watched how he treated them. That’s what I’ve tried to take over into my coaching, building those relationships and doing anything you can to help.”
The philosophy has served Hartbarger well. He reached his 200th career win with the FHS girls basketball program Feb. 25 when the Panthers beat Smoky Mountain in the first round of the state playoffs.
“That was a result of a lot of good players coming through the system and a lot of good coaches,” Hartbarger said. “It was really a great feeling to get it at home; it’s a special place. It was nice to have my wife (Sharon) here, my family here. It was just a special night, it really was. The 200 wins is not about me; it’s about the program and the girls buying in.”
Moments after the game ended, FHS athletic director Blair King grabbed the microphone. All-time school scoring leader Lindsay Simpson, who played her final three years for Hartbarger, presented Hartbarger with a commemorative basketball.
The fact that his 200th win came against the school in which he coached boys basketball for eight seasons before coming to Franklin made it even more special.
“Very fitting for No. 200 to come against his hometown team in Sylva,” King said. “He has done it with class and absolutely loves his players.”
Harbarger’s record now stands at 201-98. He’s likely the school’s all-time wins leader for girls basketball.
Rose Corbin, who coached the program from 1957-65, led the Panthers to multiple conference titles. But her coaching record is unknown.
This season saw Franklin win its third conference title under Hartbarger, going 8-2 in Mountain Six Conference play. He was voted MSC Coach of the Year by his peers.
Junior Canaan Drake talked about how she appreciates the relationship aspect Hartbarger has with the players.
“He does well trying to talk to us,” Drake said. “If you see him in the hallways, he asks how your day is going and talks to us outside of basketball.”
Senior Chela Green transferred to FHS before this year from Highlands. She enjoyed Hartbarger’s coaching style, including his fast-paced practices.
“He’s definitely a lot different than any of the other coaches I’ve had,” Green said. “I feel like I’ve been a lot more challenged here, especially individually with my ball handling skills and shooting. I’ve improved on my shooting a lot.”
Assistant coaches Tres Rogers, Bekah Brooks and Justin Moffitt all paid Hartbarger compliments.
Moffitt joined Hartbarger’s staff this season. He said 200 wins is an awesome accomplishment and he’s grateful for the opportunity to coach alongside him.
Brooks, who has been on staff for a few years, said it’s been a joy getting to know Hartbarger.
“Coach Hartbarger is the most genuine, kind-hearted, hardworking person to coach and teach with,” she said. “He cares for these girls and wants to make a good impact along with coaching the sport he loves.”
Rogers called Hartbarger a great coach, but an even better person.
“He is always putting other people – and especially the girls in the basketball program – first,” Rogers said. “I’ve been helping him for the past six years, and during that time he has stressed program and family.”
The success of averaging more than 18 wins per season starts from the ground up, Rogers said. Hartbarger understands how important it is having quality players in community league, on travel ball teams, on the middle school and JV teams up leading up to the varsity level.
“It takes being involved in the summer camps for the young kids and helping with the youth basketball leagues to create a mindset geared towards becoming a Lady Panther,” Rogers said. “Scott’s efforts have been effective over the past decade at creating a culture of success in the program, which has led to winning teams at the high school level.”
The milestone caused Hartbarger to reflect on his time with the program. There are many great memories that immediately come to mind, including the state playoff trips to Greensboro. Yet it’s the relationships with the girls and being invited to their weddings years after they finished playing for him that stand out the most.
“That’s what coaching is all about, those relationships, having those girls want to come back and tell you about their lives,” he said.