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Sports

New Lee Basketball Coach Works to Reinvigorate Team

New coach comes from Fairfax's junior varsity team

Following a winless season last year, Robert E. Lee High School head basketball coach Michael Harris, an 18-year veteran of the team, decided to resign his post as head coach of the boys varsity basketball team. Former Fairfax JV Coach Kosa So, who spent nine years coaching for Fairfax prior to becoming the head coach at Lee, will replace Harris.

“Lee has a great tradition-and a winning one,” So said. “I believe I am a great fit for Lee. Basketball is my passion, and I intend to build a competitive and winning basketball program.”

Born in Cambodia, So came to America at the age of five, unable to speak any English. A Fairfax County resident since 1979, So now runs his own law practice.

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“He has worked extremely hard to be successful in all avenues of his life, he is a great example for our students,” Lee Activities Director Lori Barb said. “All the players are extremely excited about the upcoming season and have been very supportive of the new coaching staff.”

As a student athlete, So was the leading scorer for Falls Church High School and set a school record for most three point shots made. After high school, So played collegiately for the University of Mary Washington.

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“I have over a decade of coaching experience and I intend to use it to improve the team's ability to execute on offense, take advantage of our strengths, and play tenacious defense,” So said. “ As a coach who played high school and college basketball, I hope to impart my experiences to the team, and use my playing background to personally help develop the individual skills set of each player.”

Once regarded as one of the premier boys basketball programs in the Northern Region, the Lee boys varsity team experienced its worst season in school history last season, going 0-18.  The team has won nine district titles over the past three decades, and is one of only two Northern Region schools to win a state basketball championship title. 
“Coach So has an inspiring story, and we are looking forward to a long and successful tenure for him and his staff,” Barb said. “He was the best candidate [for the job] and more importantly he is the perfect fit for what Lee High School needed right now.”

Two years prior, Lee made it to the Northern Region semi-finals, losing to eventual champion T.C. Williams.

So is careful not to point fingers concerning last years winless season, but he does understand the struggles the team faced.

“I am not certain what the explanation is for the team's record last season, Coach Harris is experienced and has coached some great teams,” So said. “I know that Coach Harris played several young players, including three freshmen, and was certainly prepping for the future.  I intend to alter that record by putting a team on the court each game that is prepared to compete and win.”

So is well aware that competition will be difficult in the Northern Region, but he is optimistic that he can return the boys basketball team to their former glory.

“The Northern Region has a history of producing top teams,” So said. “I am grateful to takeover a program from an accomplished coach and look forward to building the program and returning Lee back to its winning tradition.”

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