Picked to coach in McDonald’s All-American game, new South Meck coach brings experience
South Mecklenburg High School has named Gary Hall as its new boys basketball coach.
Hall was named head coach of this year’s McDonald’s All-American West team and has an impressive resume that includes 486 career wins, 14 conference championships and 12 coach of the year honors.
He comes to South Mecklenburg after two years as head coach at St. Thomas Catholic School, an all-boys school for grades 9-12 in Houston, TX. Hall led St. Thomas to a 24-9 record and an appearance in the Texas 6A regional final in his first season. Hall’s 2019-20 team finished 9-15.
At South Mecklenburg, he will replace John Fitch, who was a state champion at the school as a player. Fitch, who worked in insurance, resigned last month after 16 seasons. Fitch told the Observer the school wanted to have its coaches be full-time teachers.
South Mecklenburg athletic director Jose Garcia said Hall will teach health and physical education at the school.
“Coach Hall’s relentless pursuit of excellence in the development of the person and player was very apparent throughout the process,” Garcia said. “I am very excited about Coach Hall’s relationships and access to college coaches. Our players will benefit greatly from those relationships should they pursue basketball opportunities beyond high school.”
Prior to coaching in Texas, Hall spent the majority of his career at Herndon (Va.) High School. His 2006 team reached the Virginia 3A state championship final led by three-time state player of the year and McDonald’s All-American Scottie Reynolds. Reynolds later led Villanova to the 2009 NCAA Final Four.
Hall also coached at private Middleburg (Va.) Academy for one season, leading the team to a 28-6 record and a conference title.
At South Meck, he’ll be tasked with revitalizing a program that has had double digit losses for eight straight seasons. South Meck was 23-6 under Fitch in 2011-12. Since then, the Sabres have produced three winning seasons.
“My vision for the South Mecklenburg basketball program,” Hall said, “is to develop a program that excels on the court, achieves in the classroom and positively impacts our school and community. We will represent our school, family and community with moral responsibility, dignity and class.”
Cox Mill will host December tournament
Cox Mill High School will host the Battle at the Mill Showcase Dec. 4-5. There will be 12 games played over two days. There are 14 N.C. High School Athletic Association teams participating.
Eight of the 12 boys teams participating made at least the third round of the 2019-20 NCHSAA playoffs.
“There are so many great basketball programs, that are members of the NCHSAA, in this basketball rich state; and we wanted to showcase them,” Cox Mill athletic director Philip Davanzo III said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with (the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association) and adidas to provide a great weekend of North Carolina public high school basketball.”
▪ Boys teams are: Cox Mill, Kings Mountain, Hunter Huss, Weddington, Lincoln Charter, Mt. Tabor, Pine Lake Prep, Bishop McGuiness, Forest Hills, Kinston, NW Guilford and Enka
▪ Girls teams are: Cox Mill, Kings Mountain, Enka, Mallard Creek and Hunter Huss
This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 12:43 PM.
