Steve Hall fulfills goal of winning city title at Cass Tech
DETROIT - Steve Hall left Cass Tech in 1988 two wins shy of winning a Public School League city basketball title as a player, losing in the semifinals. Hall went on to play and coach all around the country, finally coming back home two years ago for unfinished business. He finally got what was running from him for 29 years, defeating King 59-47 to win the school's first city title since 1998.
"I was optimistic that this day was going to come, but it came pretty quick," Hall said. That was my motivation to come back home, to give back to my community and my school. I was coming home every year to watch the PSL playoffs, a lot of time at Cass Tech, and it bothered me that we weren't a participant more regularly. That was something that I was focused on trying to make happen for my school, and it is an unbelievable feeling. I've won city championships, and state championships, but never at my alma mater. I can't express to you how this feels."
Hall did not need words to show how joyous he was about finally winning it all. The tears in his eyes, jumping up and down with his staff and players after the game, and sharing the moment with family, friends, colleagues, and former players was enough. The way Cass Tech rally's around its alum is unrivaled, and it was on full display at Calihan Hall, on both sides.
"I'm a product of Cass Tech, and they see my passion," Hall said. "Our goal is scholarships and championships, in that order. I care about their (his players) well-beginning. I came back to high school, not in hopes of getting a college job, but it hopes of helping my community, my school, and my players. They understand what I'm all about, and they've bought in."
Cass Tech jumped out to an early lead on King in the first half, and led by as much as 12 in the game. King got the deficit down to four in the third, but that would the closet they would get. Seniors Mike Green and Leonard Silas led Cass Tech with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Silas played great in the championship game, and all season. But instead of taking the credit for himself, he gave it to his coach, just like all of his players have all year.
"He gave us a lot of confidence," Silas said of Hall. "He believed in us, and as we beat some tough teams, and got better, we believed in us more and more. Coach Hall believing is us helped us win 11 straight games, and win a city title."
Not only did Hall win his first city title as a player or coach with Cass Tech, but he did it against the team his schools hates the most, King. Cass Tech lost to King in the state playoffs last season, so that added a little extra motivation for them to beat King, as if playing your arch rival was not good enough.
"It means more because they have been our nemesis," said Hall. "They knocked us out of the state playoffs last year, and we wanted to win. I don't want to overvalue a city championship, because we still have a state championship, but just the fact that we accomplished something that we hadn't in almost 20 years, and was a goal that we identified, is great for the kids and great for the school."