Basketball

Gil Hooker, Head Basketball Coach

Coach Hooker brings a wealth of experience and a passion for athletics to his role. In addition to basketball, he also coaches football and track.

“My goal as a coach is to help your sons reach their full potential by honing their athletic abilities,” Hooker says, “Through sports, I aim to teach valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership and relationship-building, which will benefit them both on and off the field.”

Growing up in Vandalia, Missouri, Hooker graduated from Van-Far High School in 2006. He was a standout three-sport student-athlete, earning all-district honors in football, winning district titles and making sectional appearances in basketball and setting school records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash that still stand today.

Hooker continued his athletic career at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) on a track scholarship and later played semi-pro football, where he won two championships and scored four touchdowns in a single game. His coaching career began in 2015 as an assistant at Van-Far High School. He then moved to Smithton Middle School before returning to Van-Far to coach his younger brothers' football teams.

After a brief hiatus to support his brothers' athletic pursuits, he resumed coaching in 2020. He led Mexico Middle School to an undefeated basketball season before joining MMA in 2021. He accepted an invitation from his former high school coach, Brian Meny, MMA’s athletic director, to coach football, basketball and track.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Hooker holds a master's degree in education and bachelor's degrees in physical education and psychology from Central Methodist University. He is also the behavioral interventionist (dean of students) at Mexico High School.

Gil is married to Tiffany Hooker and has two children, Remington and Roman. His dedication to both his family and the cadet-athletes exemplifies his commitment to fostering growth, both on and off the field.

Traevonne Smith, Assistant Basketball Coach

Coach Smith brings a variety of coaching methods to MMA’s track team, pulling from his experiences leading the Colonels as a physical education instructor, head track coach, assistant basketball coach and assistant football coach.

Athletically, Smith plans to help cadets improve their form and performance with technical coaching. On a more personal level, Smith hopes to hopes to use track to instill values of hard work, personal motivation and team skills.

“My coaching philosophy is this: hard work will out-work talent that doesn't work hard,” Smith said. “For me, it's not about who’s performing better than who, it's about who’s willing to work harder – and that directly correlates to life.”

Verlyn Johnson, Assistant Basketball Coach