Coach inspired players to reach their potential

By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Growing up in Grafton, W.Va., Scott Mankins looked up to Mike Skinner, his high school football and track coach. Now Millbrook's boys basketball coach, Mankins hoped to one day mimic Skinner's career path and have the opportunity to impact student-athletes.

So it's no surprise that after all the high-fives, back slaps and congratulations Mankins received after his Pioneers won the Group AA state championship on March 15, a phone call from Skinner meant the most.

"Out of all the phone calls, I think that's the one where it really hit me what we had accomplished," Mankins said. "Growing up you had your mom and dad and then it was coach Skinner in terms of people who influenced you."

Mankins, The Northern Virginia Daily's Boys Basketball Coach of the Year, has had a big influence on his players over the years as well. His team, chock full of youth over the past few seasons after a sterling group of freshmen came into the program two years ago, has matured under Mankins' tutelage. The Pioneers, with just one senior in their starting lineup, finished their championship season 29-1.

And just as he was to Skinner, Mankins' players are grateful to have him in charge.

"We didn't always like coach Mankins for working us, but he loves us and we knew that's why he was pushing us," Millbrook junior Calvin Rodney said.

"Coach Mankins has meant a lot to me personally," Millbrook senior Jordan Sugars said. "He's molded me into the player I've become. I have nothing but ultimate respect for him."

Mankins also showed his knowledge of the game this season. With the Pioneers struggling against Brunswick early in the state final, Mankins switched from a man-to-man defense to 3-2 and 2-3 zones.

The move paid off, and played a big part in the Pioneers' 53-43 victory.

"He knows what he's doing," Sugars said. "When he tells us to do something, we listen. There's no second guessing. We trust him. When he makes adjustments, we're always behind him 100 percent."

Mankins' love of the game extends to college basketball — especially the University of North Carolina. Millbrook junior Erick Green, who has verbally committed to play at Virginia Tech, said his coach is the biggest Carolina fan he's ever met. Green, who was also a Duke fan before pledging to the Hokies, said he and Mankins are constantly ribbing each other when Duke and North Carolina meet.

Mankins said his love of UNC started at an early age.

"It started when I was a little kid watching David Thompson at North Carolina State and Phil Ford at Carolina, and watching them in the ACC tournament," Mankins said. "I liked the four corners. Then they had another player in Al Wood come along. I just liked the way they did things, and I've been a fan ever since.

"With the high school season, I don't get to see Carolina as much as I would like. The timing right now is great. Our season is over and now I can watch March Madness. This is my favorite time of the year."

As a coach, Mankins is gaining respect not only throughout the area, but also throughout the state.

"You can just tell they're a very disciplined team," Brunswick coach Bryant Stith said after the state championship game. "He's a class act. He's what Virginia High School League basketball is all about. He's a good representative for this sport."

Perhaps the biggest compliment of all to Mankins comes from Green. The standout guard has considered attending a private school for his senior season, but the lure of breaking the huddle with Mankins for another year might be enough to keep him at Millbrook.

"I probably will be back next year because [Mankins] has done a lot for me and I want to finish out my four years for him," Green said.

* Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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