Discipline is a must: Cape Henry Collegiate boys basketball led by Mark Hall
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — All athletic seasons have their own unique stories, and this past season’s Varsity Boys Basketball story is one for the ages. The 2020-21 Varsity Boys Basketball Team completed an undefeated season, winning both the Conference and State Invitational Tournaments with one of the most talented rosters to date. This end-of-season result in terms of stats is phenomenal. The way this team persevered through the many challenges of an athletic season within a pandemic is the true victory. The CHC Athletic Department could not be more proud of a Dolphin Coaching Staff and this group of young men, as they “masked up” from the beginning to the end, without complaint or disregard for health and safety protocols put in place. The leadership of Captains Christian Moore and Bryson Spell will be remembered as a true dynamic duo. Their talents equal, if not surpass, their integrity, class, and determination to hang championship banners and represent CHC in the very best light.
Those familiar with the CHC Boys Basketball program will not see any of these accolades surprising. For the past ten years, the program has been led by Mark Hall who, in addition to coaching, is Director of Community Outreach Partnerships and guides students with Strength and Fitness Training. Featured in the November edition of CHC’s Faculty Focus, Coach Hall was recognized for his pivotal work with students of all ages – PK3 – 12th grade. In the interview, Hall believes in his Blanket Theory: “Everybody in this building is wrapping and blanketing themselves around kids to make them feel safe and secure…It’s a great place to be.” Likewise, he is respected by students, colleagues, and parents alike. Greg Angilly, Director of Student Life and Dean of Students, shared, “I’m honored to call Mark a colleague and a friend. Great coach – better human being.” Similarly, Amanda Hayes, Director of Middle School and mom to Varsity player, Nathan Hayes (‘22), shared, “I feel privileged to work with Mark and to have him coach my son. He is a great mentor for our students.” From the youngest in the building to the graduating seniors, he has forged powerful relationships with so many.
“With the issues surrounding COVID-19 and having to be almost perfect from harm, this season will never be forgotten. Our student-athletes have worked so hard in the classroom and on the court to reach the level of play that is needed to achieve our team goals for the season. We are blessed to have such a wonderful Athletic Director, Jeanne Short, who helped make this possible. I will miss our seniors and am happy to see the kids beat the odds.” -Coach Hall
When Hall joined the Cape Henry community, he brought his personal motto with him: “Discipline is a must.” For any athlete, discipline is an essential component for success. For Coach Mark Hall, it is the core value he expects and demands from himself as well as the student athletes on his championship basketball teams. Those players included one of his sons, Devon Hall. After three years of his father coaching him, Devon Hall (‘13) went on to play for UVA, entered the NBA draft in 2018, played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and now plays professionally in Europe for Germany’s Brose Bamberg. Truly, Devon Hall is one of the many success stories of his father’s coaching career.
The boys on this year’s roster have similar compliments for their coaches and of each other. This tightly bonded group of guys has thrived with Coach Hall, Assistant Coach Lance Hurdle, and Assistant Coach Scott Clark. Senior Jeriel Adejobi shared, “Our coaching staff was very supportive of the situation and helped us navigate it to the best of our ability. Although Covid didn’t allow us to have the full season that we wanted to, it was great to go out with a conference and state championship with my best friends.” Christian Moore added, “This was definitely one of the best seasons simply because of the way we battled through so much adversity with Covid, and then coming out on top, knowing how much work we put in since August. It was really just the cherry on top winning the state championship.”
In spite of a global pandemic and the limitations placed on athletic programs across the country, Cape Henry Collegiate’s Varsity Boys Basketball team demonstrated the discipline required to earn another undefeated season and the TCIS Invitational Tournament Champion title. For this team, the 2020-2021 season was undoubtedly challenging and unforgettable. For Coach Mark Hall, this tenth season marked seven TCIS Conference Championships and a 3rd State Title. Here’s hoping for many more!
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