Success runs in the family: Halls thriving on hardwood

VIRGINIA BEACH

Mark Hall had always wanted to be a head boys basketball coach.

But when the Cape Henry Collegiate job was open last year, he hesitated.

"I had to talk to my family because I just wanted to make sure it was OK," said Hall, who was then an assistant coach at Bishop Sullivan Catholic.

Hall knew the Cape Henry job would affect his family: his wife, Leslie; his son, Mark III, a standout athlete at Green Run High; and, most importantly, his son Devon, one of Cape Henry's star basketball players.

"He asked me how I would feel about him applying for the job," Devon said. "I was like, 'I wouldn't mind it at all' because I know he can coach."

Hall took the job and, nearly nine months later, no one's complaining.

Mark and Devon have helped the Dolphins to 20 victories and a tie atop the Tidewater Conference with Walsingham heading into Friday's game at Norfolk Collegiate.

Devon, a sophomore guard, averages 13 points per game - second on the team to Jimmy Page - and Cape Henry is ranked No. 2 in the latest VISAA Division II state poll.

Devon, ranked No. 24 nationally in the Class of 2014 by Rivals.com, knew things would be different. His dad was never his full-time coach.

"Sometimes you're like, 'Man, why is he always on me?' " Devon said. "But I know he's trying to make me a better player. If he didn't say anything to me, that's when I would worry."

Sometimes, mom steps in.

"Yeah, sometimes I have to cut it short," Leslie said, laughing. "I have to remind him that the game is over and it's time to be Dad. On the way to the game and in the locker room, he can be Coach. "

The Dolphins (20-4) have beaten nine teams ranked in the VISAA state private school polls. They've also beaten Group AAA teams Hampton and Western Branch, and they narrowly lost the season opener to Landstown, the Beach District regular-season champion now ranked No. 1 in South Hampton Roads.

A win over Norfolk Collegiate on Friday would give Cape Henry at least a share of the Tidewater Conference regular-season title.

But the elder Hall wants more.

"We're going for the trifecta," he said. "We want to win the regular-season title, tournament title and state title. That's something the school has never done."

Meanwhile, Mark III is enjoying his own success as a senior at Green Run. The Stallions earned a spot in next week's Eastern Region tournament, and Mark III

is the fifth-leading scorer among Group AAA players in South Hampton Roads at 18.1 points a game. He also averages more than 10 rebounds a game.

"It runs in the family," Mark III said, "because we work hard."

But wouldn't it have been nice for all three to be on the same team? Mark III has thought about it.

"It's not that I didn't want to play with my dad," he said. "It's just that I'm a football player."

Mark III, 6-feet-3 and 220 pounds, also is a star linebacker and tight end, and stayed at Green Run to play football. A first-team All-Tidewater and All-Beach District pick, he signed with Virginia last month.

One drawback to Mark coaching Cape Henry is that he has missed many of Mark III's games this season.

"He gets to watch me as much as he can," Mark III said. "But I know he has his team to worry about, too. Of course, I'd like to have him at my games. What son wouldn't? But I also know he loves to coach and he wants to fulfill his dreams, too."

Recently, the family has been talking about another dream.

"What if we win a state championship and Green Run wins one, too?" coach Hall said. "And what if both boys get all-state recognition and I get Coach of the Year? That would be nice. We'd have to throw a party for that."

Whatever happens, the Halls are happy that everything has worked out.

"I'm a very proud dad," Mark said. "Sometime, when I'm by myself, I look up and say, 'Thank You, Lord,' because I have truly been blessed."

Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273,larry.rubama@pilotonline.com