
Ironmen basketball coach Scott Harrill breaks county record for most wins
Gets #380 against BCHS on Feb. 5,
passing Coach Marty Hatchell
by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info
Ironmen head basketball coach and CHS Athletic Director Scott Harrill has many accomplishments attributed to him, along with a slew of letters and initials pertaining to his teaching and coaching prowess.
Now he can add a couple more – record breaker and record setter!
Harrill recently surpassed his friend and fellow roundball coach Marty Hatchell, who retired from coaching in 2009, as Gaston County’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach with 380-plus wins. He got number 380 on Feb. 5, in an away game against the BCHS Yellow Jackets, winning 78-67. His current tally (and percentage of wins) is – with the recent win at Piedmont Community Charter School – 381, against 171 losses for a 70 percentage of wins. Harrill noted the record is for varsity wins only and doesn’t factor in any of his JV wins.
Coach Harrill’s career started as a JV coach at South Point High in 1995, then he came to Cherryville in 1999 as the JV coach with the late Coach David Watkins.
“I took over after Coach Watkins passed away in December of 2000,” he said.
In addition to coaching Cross-Country at CHS, Harrill said he has coached football at South Point and Cherryville for 13 years.
“I have also coached as the head men’s golf coach, and a couple of JV baseball games.”
Harrill, a 1989 CHS grad, received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State in 1993, then got his Master’s degree from ASU in 2008.
As for how it feels to catch up to and pass Coach Hatchell’s many wins, Harrill was somewhat philosophical.
Said Coach Harrill, “It has been a little overwhelming thinking of the great coaches along the way. This is a team achievement with Coach (Dennis) Tate, Coach (Bud) Black, and Coach (Antonio) Griggs. Those men are just as much a part of this as I am. We work together really well. I will be forever grateful for them taking in a young coach, sticking with him, and being by my side the entire way. Marty is a friend and former coach who I coached against. He had all of his wins at those two schools. I look back at all the great kids we have had the chance to coach and watch grow.”
When asked what was it like to play opposite Hatchell and his teams, Coach Harrill noted, “He was a fiery coach and was always competitive.”
Coach Hatchell, who was 52 when he retired in 2009, coached the Yellow Jackets at BCHS for 13 years, then coached 11 years at Ashbrook, according to Coach Harrill, who noted Hatchell’s record was 379 wins in 24 years.
In addition to thanking his assistant coaches and current and former players, Harrill said, “God and my faith has always been a huge part of my life and coaching philosophy. (My wife,) Teresa has always stood by me and supported me in all that I do. She is amazing at being at all of those games for 25 years.
“She has brought our two boys to games since they were born. Trevor and Lane have always loved being in the gym. It was a joy over the last 21 years to get to spend that time in the gym with them.
“My parents, Howard and Marie, have been to almost every game during my playing and coaching career. Mom has kept the book a long time, dad has filmed over the years when needed. Thanks again to Coaches Tate, Black, and Griggs for all the years of working with me. The Ironmen basketball team is family to each of us.
“I am also thankful for Terry Usery and Kathy Abernethy for all the years of keeping the clock and score book for us.
“To the many players over the years who I think of as sons, they are what makes this special. Each one of those players has a special memory that I could share. I also thank Mr. (Steve) Huffstetler, my first principal at CHS; Mr. (Derrick) Jackson; and Mr. (Kevin) Doran, who has been with me the last eight years. We are blessed to have supportive principals like these three men over the years.”
Scott continued, “Wins and losses come and go, but the relationships last a lifetime. From phone calls, to weddings, to new births, to lunches, stopping in the gym, a golf game; those are the memories I will cherish. The long bus rides, the practices, the locker room, those are fun times.”
His wife, Teresa, said, “I am so proud of Scott and the Ironmen basketball staff! Scott loves the game of basketball but he loves his players more. Over the years he has had some amazing athletes that have made this honor possible.
“His coaching staff is like no other. You don’t find better men. They love their Ironmen basketball, win or lose. Having 380 wins is amazing, but the thought of how many lives Scott has impacted over the course of these 380 wins makes my heart smile. Late night ball games, game film analysis, daily practices have been part of our lives for over 25 years. This is an honor he and I are blessed to be part of.”
Friend, mentor, and Assistant Coach, Dr. Bud Black, said of his long-time friend and protégé, “Scott has been an outstanding basketball coach because he treats everyone fairly and is a great communicator. The many years Coach Tate and I have been with him illustrates his belief in the Cherryville High School basketball philosophy.
“The players are taught to first believe in faith and family, second to succeed academically, and third basketball. This philosophy has been a part of the CHS basketball program since 1981 and has led to Coach Harrill being the most successful high school basketball coach in Gaston County.
“He measures success by the players living life as men with character and being a leader in their church, family, and career.”
Coach Dennis Tate said of Harrill, “You have got to have the passion for the game, which Coach Harrill does. You start preparing yourself in the summer. Coach Harrill expects us to help him out if he has other things to do, as he’s the AD, and we can relate to the players, so that makes his job easier, if he needs us to talk with or help out one of them.”
Tate continued, “I feel like I’ve been a part of each and every one of them (the Ironmen wins) since the 80s, with Coaches Black and Watkins, and now Coach Harrill. With win number 380, I want to say congratulations to my long-time friend and coaching companion.”
Assistant Coach Antonio Griggs agreed, adding, “Congratulations Coach on win number 380! As a former player and current member of your staff, I’m beyond thankful for your commitment to the students and our community.
“I know firsthand how tirelessly you work on scouting the opponents and teaching our student athletes life lessons along the way. Thanks for everything you do for all programs. Special thanks to Teresa Harrill for her overwhelming support for our program over the years. We love both of you. #CvilleBasketballFamily.”
(Ed. note: On a sad and personal note – After this was written, it was learned that CHS Ironmen Clock Keeper, Mr. Terry Usery passed away on Feb. 13. Our prayers are with his family.)
passing Coach Marty Hatchell
by MICHAEL E. POWELL
Editor
michael@cfmedia.info
Ironmen head basketball coach and CHS Athletic Director Scott Harrill has many accomplishments attributed to him, along with a slew of letters and initials pertaining to his teaching and coaching prowess.
Now he can add a couple more – record breaker and record setter!
Harrill recently surpassed his friend and fellow roundball coach Marty Hatchell, who retired from coaching in 2009, as Gaston County’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach with 380-plus wins. He got number 380 on Feb. 5, in an away game against the BCHS Yellow Jackets, winning 78-67. His current tally (and percentage of wins) is – with the recent win at Piedmont Community Charter School – 381, against 171 losses for a 70 percentage of wins. Harrill noted the record is for varsity wins only and doesn’t factor in any of his JV wins.
Coach Harrill’s career started as a JV coach at South Point High in 1995, then he came to Cherryville in 1999 as the JV coach with the late Coach David Watkins.
“I took over after Coach Watkins passed away in December of 2000,” he said.
In addition to coaching Cross-Country at CHS, Harrill said he has coached football at South Point and Cherryville for 13 years.
“I have also coached as the head men’s golf coach, and a couple of JV baseball games.”
Harrill, a 1989 CHS grad, received his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State in 1993, then got his Master’s degree from ASU in 2008.
As for how it feels to catch up to and pass Coach Hatchell’s many wins, Harrill was somewhat philosophical.
Said Coach Harrill, “It has been a little overwhelming thinking of the great coaches along the way. This is a team achievement with Coach (Dennis) Tate, Coach (Bud) Black, and Coach (Antonio) Griggs. Those men are just as much a part of this as I am. We work together really well. I will be forever grateful for them taking in a young coach, sticking with him, and being by my side the entire way. Marty is a friend and former coach who I coached against. He had all of his wins at those two schools. I look back at all the great kids we have had the chance to coach and watch grow.”
When asked what was it like to play opposite Hatchell and his teams, Coach Harrill noted, “He was a fiery coach and was always competitive.”
Coach Hatchell, who was 52 when he retired in 2009, coached the Yellow Jackets at BCHS for 13 years, then coached 11 years at Ashbrook, according to Coach Harrill, who noted Hatchell’s record was 379 wins in 24 years.
In addition to thanking his assistant coaches and current and former players, Harrill said, “God and my faith has always been a huge part of my life and coaching philosophy. (My wife,) Teresa has always stood by me and supported me in all that I do. She is amazing at being at all of those games for 25 years.
“She has brought our two boys to games since they were born. Trevor and Lane have always loved being in the gym. It was a joy over the last 21 years to get to spend that time in the gym with them.
“My parents, Howard and Marie, have been to almost every game during my playing and coaching career. Mom has kept the book a long time, dad has filmed over the years when needed. Thanks again to Coaches Tate, Black, and Griggs for all the years of working with me. The Ironmen basketball team is family to each of us.
“I am also thankful for Terry Usery and Kathy Abernethy for all the years of keeping the clock and score book for us.
“To the many players over the years who I think of as sons, they are what makes this special. Each one of those players has a special memory that I could share. I also thank Mr. (Steve) Huffstetler, my first principal at CHS; Mr. (Derrick) Jackson; and Mr. (Kevin) Doran, who has been with me the last eight years. We are blessed to have supportive principals like these three men over the years.”
Scott continued, “Wins and losses come and go, but the relationships last a lifetime. From phone calls, to weddings, to new births, to lunches, stopping in the gym, a golf game; those are the memories I will cherish. The long bus rides, the practices, the locker room, those are fun times.”
His wife, Teresa, said, “I am so proud of Scott and the Ironmen basketball staff! Scott loves the game of basketball but he loves his players more. Over the years he has had some amazing athletes that have made this honor possible.
“His coaching staff is like no other. You don’t find better men. They love their Ironmen basketball, win or lose. Having 380 wins is amazing, but the thought of how many lives Scott has impacted over the course of these 380 wins makes my heart smile. Late night ball games, game film analysis, daily practices have been part of our lives for over 25 years. This is an honor he and I are blessed to be part of.”
Friend, mentor, and Assistant Coach, Dr. Bud Black, said of his long-time friend and protégé, “Scott has been an outstanding basketball coach because he treats everyone fairly and is a great communicator. The many years Coach Tate and I have been with him illustrates his belief in the Cherryville High School basketball philosophy.
“The players are taught to first believe in faith and family, second to succeed academically, and third basketball. This philosophy has been a part of the CHS basketball program since 1981 and has led to Coach Harrill being the most successful high school basketball coach in Gaston County.
“He measures success by the players living life as men with character and being a leader in their church, family, and career.”
Coach Dennis Tate said of Harrill, “You have got to have the passion for the game, which Coach Harrill does. You start preparing yourself in the summer. Coach Harrill expects us to help him out if he has other things to do, as he’s the AD, and we can relate to the players, so that makes his job easier, if he needs us to talk with or help out one of them.”
Tate continued, “I feel like I’ve been a part of each and every one of them (the Ironmen wins) since the 80s, with Coaches Black and Watkins, and now Coach Harrill. With win number 380, I want to say congratulations to my long-time friend and coaching companion.”
Assistant Coach Antonio Griggs agreed, adding, “Congratulations Coach on win number 380! As a former player and current member of your staff, I’m beyond thankful for your commitment to the students and our community.
“I know firsthand how tirelessly you work on scouting the opponents and teaching our student athletes life lessons along the way. Thanks for everything you do for all programs. Special thanks to Teresa Harrill for her overwhelming support for our program over the years. We love both of you. #CvilleBasketballFamily.”
(Ed. note: On a sad and personal note – After this was written, it was learned that CHS Ironmen Clock Keeper, Mr. Terry Usery passed away on Feb. 13. Our prayers are with his family.)