Featured Senior Athlete: Mark Gill, Cloverdale

Thursday, March 18, 2021
Mark Gill

Mark Gill is a senior at Cloverdale High School. He has played basketball for the Clovers for four years, having played the sport since he was five years old.

Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Mark Gill: “Sports are really important. I’ve been playing basketball since I was five years old. If I’m not playing basketball, it doesn’t feel right.”

BG: Talk about what basketball means to you.

MG: “Ever since I was little, my dad said I had a ball in hand. Both dad and mom coached me since I was little and it’s always been my thing to play basketball. I’ve always been bigger than the other kids, so I always played center. It’s a way I cope with things and an outlet for a lot of things. It calms me down a lot.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

MG: “The most embarrassing thing was during eighth grade, one of my by buddies and I since I had moved to Cloverdale were playing in a game and I hit his foot and face planted right on to the floor.”

BG: Do you have any certain rituals or superstitions you follow in sports?

MG: “The only routine I have was to get to school two hours before a game to get shots up, while the JV was going, then to go to the locker room and listen to music to get ready to play.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college or pro sports teams you follow?

MG: “I like following NBA teams, the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

MG: “Really basketball is about it. I keep my grades up, try to help out others when I can and help the little kids with basketball.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

MG: “I like to hang out with friends, like to travel a lot, which my family does, and spend time with both family and friends.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, TV and music?

MG: “I like the Fast and Furious movies, mostly rap music and my favorite TV show is The Last Dance.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

MG: “Skydiving.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

MG: “Heights is probably my biggest fear.”

BG: What are your favorite and least favorite foods?

MG: “My favorite food is steak and least favorite is anything Japanese. I haven’t had any but it doesn’t look too appealing.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

MG: “I have two dogs, Bella and Milo, and two cats, Archie and Marshmallow.”

BG: If your house were on fire, and all living things were already out, what is one thing you would go back and get?

MG: “My Jordan 11s. I’m a really big shoe person and that’s one thing I wouldn’t want to get rid of.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

MG: “Fun. I tend to do almost anything that’s legal that’s not a threat to my life.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

MG: “Colorado. There’s just so many things to do out there, more than other places, like whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing and others.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

MG: “It’s really important. Without support from family and friends, I definitely wouldn’t have done what I have done in the school and on the floor.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience, both academically and athletically.

MG: “It’s been really good. Teachers have been helpful and never said no to helping me. They help me make sure I’m doing my best and staying out of trouble. Sports have been good. The coaches and teammates I’ve had have never given up on each other, even if seasons haven’t gone our way. We all want to win and play together while having fun.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

MG: “I’ll likely be going to a trade school to become an electrician.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

MG: “Yes, definitely a lot harder. You get home late, tired and worn out after practice but you have to keep going and do it otherwise you don’t make the grades you need and you can’t play.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

MG: “Probably my business class as a junior with Mr. Thomas. He was really good at explaining a lot of things, like how to take control of your money, having some for emergencies, knowing what to do and how to not go overboard and how to take care of things. He really helped me think a lot about those things.”

BG: After college, do you have plans to live somewhere in the mountains or on the beach, or do you want to live around here?

MG: “Definitely on the beach. There’s just something about being on the beach that’s carefree, warm and enjoyable about living out there.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

MG: “It has gone fast. Coming in as a freshman, I figured it would be slow and terrible but it’s crazy how fast it’s gone. I’ll miss being around friends every day and teachers that helped me get through the day.”

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