Placer Athletic Hall of Fame: Mark Lee coached some of Placer's best basketball teams

There have been legendary basketball coaches throughout Placer High School's 128-year history — Crabbe, LeFebvre, Barry. Now add recently retired coach Mark Lee to that list with his 500-plus wins, multiple championships and coach-of-the-year awards. For his unparalleled success as the longest-tenured and winningest coach in school history, Lee will be inducted into the Placer Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony April 26 in the gym where so many of his victories took place. When he retired in 2022 after 29 years as Hillmen varsity basketball coach, Lee had racked up 514 victories, six league titles, 21 tournament championships, four state playoff appearances and nine Coach of the Year honors in four leagues. He considered one of his best teams to be the 2016 squad that compiled a school-record 27-5 mark. That quintet went undefeated in league play, won the Kendall Arnett Tournament, had an 18-game win streak and went 15-0 at home. The Hillmen were ranked No. 3 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III and No. 9 in the state. They hosted the first state playoff game in school history, defeating Bay Area power Sir Francis Drake. Unfortunately, Ryan Jenkins, the team's best defender, was injured in the game and could not play in the quarterfinal contest against Riordan of San Francisco. Also unable to play was Derrick Haney, who tore his ACL earlier in the season. Without those two, Placer lost by six points. Lee considers the following year's team as his next-best. That 2017 quintet posted a 26-5 record, going 12-0 at home and extending a two-year home winning streak to 27. They won the league title and the Ganskie, Rocklin and Kendall Arnett tournaments and reached the section semifinals. Lee has special feelings for the Kendall Arnett Tournament, saying, "It's such a prestigious, quality tournament with lots of history. Over the years, I had great help from the parents, staff and community in putting it on." His first Kendall Arnett Tournament championship came in 1997. "We had a group of guys who played so well together and are still very close friends today." He reeled off the names of the team leaders — Jamie Fox, Brett Stofleth, Jon Cronin, Adam Chervenak, Nathan Clark and Matt Hatashita. "That group was very scrappy, tough-minded and first-class people." Lee acknowledges the help of his assistant coaches over the years. "I was fortunate enough to have some very loyal coaches who put in a lot of time and effort into the program. Dave Thompson was in the program for 26 years as a head JV coach and as my assistant." Lee also pointed to current coach Nate Swesey, who played for Lee from 1994-96, and coached in the program for 18 years. Two other coaches, Greg Robinson and John Hilton, worked in the basketball program for 19 and 14 years. Born in Lynwood in Los Angeles County, Lee played football, basketball and baseball at Lake Elsinore High School. Following graduation, he attended Mt. San Jacinto JC, where he competed in football and baseball. His college career ended at Sacramento State, where he roamed the defensive backfield for the football team. Lee's coaching career began at Rio Americano coaching football, basketball, baseball and track from 1985 to 1989. His next stint took him to San Juan for his first varsity basketball coaching experience from 1989-1994. He also coached football and golf. Lee began his Placer career in 1994 and besides varsity basketball, he also coached football, baseball and golf and served as athletic director for 23 years. He enjoys living in Auburn, saying, "It's a beautiful place to raise a family. One of the joys of living in Auburn, teaching and coaching at Placer was to have my kids grow around Placer athletics and in the gym with dad." Daughters Nicole and Jessica and sons Austin and Jackson attended to their dad's summer camps, practices and most of his home games as they were growing up. "I loved watching them run across the baseline up to the bleachers with Mom behind our bench," Lee remembered, adding, "They would wait for the proper time and then run across the baseline with a handful of candy they got from the snack bar." All four of the Lee children played sports at Placer and in college. "I was very lucky to have been able to see them play so many games over the years. It was so much fun watching Nicole play volleyball and basketball, Jessica play volleyball and run track, Austin play basketball and tennis and run cross country, and Jackson play baseball and basketball. All of them made me a very proud dad on so many occasions throughout their careers." He admits the most important person in the coaching ranks has been his wife Kris, who is the principal's administrative assistant at Placer. "She has been the rock of the family for years. She would be at home with the four young kids while I was out scouting an opponent or away at an out-of-town tourney. Her hard work, dedication and sacrifice made it possible for me to coach and be athletic director for so many years. Without her, none of this would have been possible." The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in the Earl Crabbe Gym on April 26. A reception will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $25 until April 15 and $35 after, and are available online at placerathletichalloffame.org.