Gerald Lacey one on one with Lady Jackets Coach Mark Oates

Leesburg coach Mark Oates has led the Yellow Jackets to the state tournament three times in the past five years (Tom Benitez/Orlando Sentinel)

Gerald Lacey

Could you give and the Jacket Nation a short bio of short career before Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates: 
I played football at Clinton High School in Clinton, North Carolina. I was an All Conference and All county lineman. I played football at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina

Gerald Lacey:

Coach Oates with this being your third State Final Four Appearance are you feeling nervous or have anxieties about this game?

Coach Mark Oates:
"No the hay is in the barn. We just have to go out and execute the things we do in practice, play hard and play smart."  "I don't take it for granted and I hope our players don't take it for granted, either. I don't think the average person realizes how hard it is to get to this point. This has been our focus since we lost to [Ocala] Vanguard [in the region semifinal] last year."

Gerald Lacey:

Is there anything that you will do different in preparing for the State Final Four vs any other game?

Coach Mark Oates:

"As far as the basketball part no. However there are so many behind the scene things at the final four that the players have to be prepared for. TV timeouts, player intro's, lockerroom etiquette, press availability."

Gerald Lacey:

Will you spend the night in Lakeland on Thursday or drive up Friday morning?

Coach Mark Oates:

"The plan is to spend the night Thursday and Friday."

Gerald Lacey:

When did you take the Leesburg job?

Coach Mark Oates:

"I became the head girl's basketball coach at Leesburg in the school year 2003-2004"

Gerald Lacey:

What is your record year by year at Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates:

 "2004( 13-12) 2005 (23-3) 2006 (21-7) 2007 (28-3) 2008 (29-2) 2009 (17-9) 2010 (19-10) 2011 ( 23-6 and counting)"

Gerald Lacey:

What your record overall at Leesburg?

Coach Mark Oates:

"173-52"

Gerald Lacey:

Are the girls that are not on basketball scholarships on academic scholarships are just regular students?

Coach Mark Oates:

"Some are. Also in 2008 our team finished in the top 10 in the state for G.P.A.'s"

Gerald Lacey:

You have great numbers win wise and academically, their will be other schools calling on your services do you see yourself being the Lady Jackets coach longterm?


Coach Mark Oates:

"I am happy at Leesburg but I am always willing to listen if offers come my way. As Long as I am in Florida I plan to stay at Leesburg. If I were to leave it would be for a job back in North Carolina."

Gerald Lacey:

Where does this stand with some of your other teams in the past?

Coach Mark Oates:

"This team is not as talented as the 2007 and 2008 teams but they are very scrappy. My most talented team was the 2006 team, we were 15 deep but knee injuries to Sharece Taft and Waneta Carlisle derailed that machine."

Article provided by:
www.leesburgladyjacketsbasketball.com

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Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club

About the Author

Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.