Mullins basketball coach talks about team's winning ways

The Mullins Auctioneers are 16-0 to start the season and coming off an outstanding performance, winning their fifth Pepsi Carolina Classic championship. The team is currently ranked No. 2 in Class 2A by the South Carolina High School Basketball Coaches Association.

Head Coach Mark Gerald was diagnosed with cancer in 2008 and was in remission until going through chemotherapy last season but only missed two games as the Auctioneers advanced to the Class 2A state championship before losing to Keenan.

It was Mullins’ second state title trip in the last three years, and ironically the team has gone 106-15 since Gerald was first diagnosed. That includes a 24-0 run towards the 2008 lower state final.

Gerald played point guard for Mullins High School from 1974-77 under coach Henry Byrd. Through faith and a collective team effort from his coaching staff, of Jimmy Vereen, Herman Waters and Kevin Edwards, he is recovering well and finding a bit of solace on the basketball court.

S&E: How are you guys enjoying the season so far?

MG: We’re off to one of the best starts that we’ve had. I couple of years ago we went undefeated regular season and I lost in the lower state. So far the kids have been playing pretty good, been in some close games and did the right thing at the end and won a couple of close games.

S&E: What was it like playing for a tournament record fifth Pepsi Carolina Classic?

MG: We enjoyed playing over there. They got pretty much the best teams in the Pee Dee area. It’s a great atmosphere. It’s sort of like a playoff atmosphere where you meet at a neutral site and play. It’s good for the kids playing. We played Marion, which is probably a Top Five 2A, Lower Richland Top Two 3A, and Wilson was Number One in 3A, so we played three very good teams, which is good before you go into region play. 

S&E: What do you like about your team this season?

MG: I like the depth and they’re playing better together. And everybody is learning their roles. We got a few people that play that’s better on defense, a few people that’s better shooters, a few people that pass, rebound, everybody is kind of finding what they do best. They’re doing it not worried about really who gets all of the attention and glory.

S&E: As coach how would you describe the experience?

MG: I’ve just been blessed. First I’d like to thank God for my health and allowing me to coach another year. And my assistant coaches. You know I’ve missed some time and they’ve always been right there for me. We’ve been together for seven or eight years and we know what everybody’s role is and just enjoy working together.  

S&E: What are your thoughts on this run, lower state final, two state championship appearances and so far undefeated within five years?

MG: These four of five years have probably been the best I’ve had. I think it’s a testament to the kids. A lot of younger kids see these guys winning and working during the summer so they grow up wanting to part of that experience. Our players work extremely hard and we has coaches try to keep them focused and take it one-game-at-a-time. 

S&E: How do you approach the game dealing with the health concerns you’ve had to overcome?

MG: The only time that I never really think about cancer is when that ball is tipped off and that game starts. I never think about cancer during that time and I think it’s good for me and the kids, all of them know the situation. We pray a lot. We pray three or four times during a game, before, halftime, after the game and sometimes on the sidelines. I try to teach them to want to go to church, to have faith. I’d like to be an example to other that are sick with diabetes or what ever that faith, prayer and doing what the doctor says, you can still lead a pretty good healthy life.

S&E: The fan base in the Mullins community, how big of an impact is that?

MG: I like to say this is the school’s and town’s team. Everybody wants to have something they can be proud of. We don’t close our doors. Anybody can come in here and watch practice. We have little kids on the bench during games and try to be assessable to the fans. I’ve been coaching long enough to know you’re only as your last game. The most part our fans have been really good and we talk about that with our kids. Certain fans be to every game, everywhere we go and I tell those are the type of people you’re playing for, and your parents and the community.