When Marlboro County High School Boys Basketball coach Joey Footman stepped into the gym for a scrimmage on Nov. 16, he knew he was back home.

“It was like I was back home,” he said. “I am glad to be here.”

Footman, a MCHS alumni, was announced as the coach for the team. He replaced LaTroy Brace, who coached the team to the Class 3A championship last season.

A meet and greet for Footman was held on Nov. 17.

He admitted it was surreal that he was standing in the same spot where coaches such as Robert Johnson and Freddy David once stood.

They played a scrimmage game against Laurence Manning Academy in Manning. Footman said the team played well.

“We have to clean up some things on the defensive end, but we will be fine,” he said.

This season, the team has several returning players who were on the state championship team.

“We added a couple from the JV team,” Footman said. “It is a solid group. Each one brings something different to the table. My biggest thing is to allow them to be basketball players.”

Ultimately, his goal is to make them better young men starting with their first day of the season and throughout their time with the team.

He added the wins and losses would take care of themselves. “Wins are great,” Footman said. “Losses are the teachable moments. I feel like at the end of the day that making successful young men be able to go out in society and be successful is what matters.”

Footman is a former basketball player and graduate of MCHS. He attended Claflin University, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in physical education.

Footman has been an educator for the last 13 years. He has coached the game he loves for over 20 years. He has coached at Fairfield Central High, Eau Claire High, and Brookland Cayce High, all of which have made it to the state playoffs.

In addition to being the head basketball coach at MCHS, he will also teach physical education.