This halftime speech is one Ill never forget, and is just another reason we learned so much from Coach Mark Gerald during our playing days with him. The year before we played Holly Hill Roberts in the Lower State Championship. With just seconds to go they pulled up right past half court and sunk a three pointer to beat us. We lead the game by 10 with about 2 minutes left. We knew we had lost the game because we hadnt done all the things he had taught us, and now we had let him down. Holly Hill went onto to beat J.L.Mann in the state championship game by 27 that year and we knew that ring should have been ours. Ive always said that one of the greatest characteristics of a leader or teacher is that you gain respect through the expectations you set. Therefore, when mistakes happen, no one has to say anything... its not needed. We all knew what had to be done. No one had hard feelings, just sheer disappointment. However, we did what Coach always taught us to do after a loss, we shook their hands, told them good game, and went back home to prepare to do better next time. So we fast forward to that halftime speech Mr. Greene referred too. Another life lesson came from this game. None of us had played in the state championship. If youve been there you know it is the closest thing that most high school kids will have to playing on a college scene. So it goes without saying that this type of hype can go to ones head a little. Before we ever made it there we had huge support, but the closer we got there were small nuances that were different. There were a lot more people coming to our practices, college scouts were checking out some of our players, it really was a glamorous time. The main thing I remember is that all we heard was, Yall are going to win! Now that can be good for confidence, but it also can lead to overconfidence as well. Sure enough we were at tip off and we didnt know what hit us. Pendleton shot some 68% from the field and their point guard, everyone said was headed to Clemson, had 28 points in the first half. As we staggered into halftime with our heads down, that feeling of disappointment hung over the locker room. Coach didnt have to say a word. It was that commanding leadership I spoke of earlier. We knew we werent playing Mullins defense or doing ANYTHING he had ever taught us. Finally he spoke and said the words Mr. Greene mentioned. I can hear him saying them now, Dont let us be the blow out of this tournament. At this point lets just go out and keep it respectable. Then he walked out of the locker room. We didnt want to keep it respectable. We didnt come just to say wed been there. A year ago we blew an opportunity to give him what he deserved, his first state title! Now were standing in the locker room facing what seemed to be an insurmountable deficit. Here lies another great characteristic of a leader and teacher. He had taught the seniors how to lead. I saw people changing back into their old shoes that got them there literally, seniors urging each other to turn their game around, encouraging others on defense, reminding each other of what got us there. Then, we went back out for the second half. John Johnson shut down the point guard... 1 point in the second half. Marcus Jarod Gerald gave us the edge at point guard moving the ball up and down the court with ease. Alex White playing defense like hed never play again. Dmace Maceo snagging rebounds, Ryan White knocking jump shots, the bench clapping it up, and MVP Que Mongous taking everyone of his 32 points for the game right down their throats. It was a sight to behold! And with just a little over a minute, the pass went to the wing, right in front of our bench, and Ryan buried it. It gave us a one point lead with a minute to go. Then, came another life lesson. Coach called timeout. He didnt call it to strategize, he called it to say the Lords Prayer. Now, Im not saying God was a Mullins fan that day... Im sure God felt just as bad Pendleton was going to have to lose, ha ha, but to me I didnt take it like we were praying to win. I believed Coach was praying with us, because God is what got us there. It goes without saying that we went onto win that day, but look how many things I learned just over the course of two games. In my time under Coach Gerald I probably experienced 100. Think of all the lessons that came from those. Then, multiply that times 15 other perspectives who were learning things from him too. Heres the take away though... A good leader doesnt yell and scream. They dont tell you how you should have done it. They dont micromanage you or say I told you so. They are patient, kind, treat you equally and with respect. They build relationships with you in order to determine what skills you have that will best serve the team. When mistakes are made they forgive you and help you up. They go back to the drawing board with you and determine the next steps in getting better. They will give you the shirt off their back if it will mean something better for you, and in the end youll give your life for them. I heard Cedric Smith describe Coach Gerald as a magnet one time. He truly is that! You want to be around him, you want to learn from him, and want to do anything you possibly can to win for him... not just on the court, but in life. Combine all of those things he taught me with his strong faith in God and you have the perfect storm of a leader and teacher. I hope a lot of people read this, not because I wrote it, but because it is the core of what Make Your Mark is founded upon. A man whose legacy is being the best teacher, coach, friend, mentor, husband, father (to his biological kids and all the kids of Mullins)! I love you Coach for what youve taught me, and am looking forward to continue learning from you in the future! #Running Sherman Crosland, Curtis Williams, Tim Troy, Jerry Mason, Meri Goff, Dena Deese, Marie Watson
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 13:46:41 +0000
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