Keeping It All in the Family : Mater Dei’s Marmet Williams and His Father, Horace, Are Each Other’s No. 1 Fan

The Williams men at home: Horace cooks and Marmet does the dishes. The Williams men out on a Friday night: Horace cheers from the stands after Marmet twists free for another easy layup. The Williams men back at home: Horace and Marmet do the laundry.

They are father and son, and the best of friends, going everywhere and doing everything together. And why not? They only have each other.

Marmet was 7 when his mother and father divorced. Now, he rarely sees his mother.

“He decided he wanted to be with his dad,” said Horace, 62.

“I had a better relationship with him,” said Marmet, a 6-foot-6 senior forward at Mater Dei.

Now, it seems strange only to those who don’t know the Williams men. They say theirs is a normal American household. There is love and respect and caring. Horace and Marmet are a family.

That’s why Horace attends every Mater Dei game, even a meaningless summer-league tournament in Las Vegas. Marmet decided he’d play at San Jose State so his father could come watch the games. Horace plans to attend all Spartan home games, as well as those in the Southland.

“That’s my No. 1,” Horace said.

“My dad and I are best friends,” Marmet said.

Horace’s only child grew up wanting to be just like his father. When he was younger, Horace played football at North Carolina A&T; in Greensboro and later had a tryout with the New York Yankees.

After a stint in the Navy, Horace moved to California and settled down.

When Marmet was born, he had a friend for life. Sports, particularly baseball, drew the two closer.

“I was sort of happy when he started playing baseball, then all of a sudden he started to play basketball,” Horace said.

It proved to be another winning decision on Marmet’s part. The fast pace appealed to him. So did the tension. He says he could feel the intensity of the crowd when he played an important game.

At Mater Dei, Marmet blossomed quickly. By his junior season it was clear that he was one of the team’s best players.

“He and Reggie Geary carried us through the playoffs last year,” Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said.

Marmet averaged 13 points and 7.4 rebounds as Mater Dei rolled to a 34-2 record and a berth in the State Division I final. The Monarchs lost to Jason Kidd-led Alameda St. Joseph, but it was merely fuel to fire Marmet’s senior season.

With Geary now playing at Arizona, the team’s leadership has fallen to Marmet and Miles Simon, a sleek, 6-4 guard. So far, so good. Top-ranked Mater Dei is 21-1, 5-0 in the South Coast League, and Marmet is averaging 10.8 points and seven rebounds.

“This year, he’s a lot more mature,” McKnight said. “He’s been up and down a little offensively. But defensively, he’s been pretty consistent.”

And to think he’s been playing in a foreign position.

A natural small forward or shooting guard, Marmet has played strong forward and center for Mater Dei.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he can play the three spot,” McKnight said. “For our needs, he has to be on the post.”

No matter his position, the Mater Dei experience has been good for Marmet.

“Here, you’re always in the spotlight,” he said. “It’s like a dream. The gyms are packed for every game. Other teams are always fired up to play us.”

As a result, the Monarchs tend to band together in a tight-knit group. Marmet’s best friends are all basketball players.

“Everyone over there is like family,” Horace said. “I’m sure what he’s missed by not having his mother around is substituted by his family at Mater Dei.”

When San Jose State Coach Stan Morrison came by the Williams’ home in Fountain Valley, Horace and Marmet were struck by his sincerity. Morrison’s won-loss record was not nearly as important as his honesty.

Yes, Marmet would play right away, Morrison said. No, the Spartans won’t be going to the Final Four any time soon, he quickly added.

“I hope he can do as well at San Jose,” Horace said. “He’s going to be playing, and that’s what it’s all about. I like the coaches up there. I felt comfortable with them. I’m sure he’ll do OK.”

Marmet can’t wait.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “Coach Morrison is a good coach. I’ll have the opportunity to start. For sure, I’ll play a lot.

“And my dad will be able to see me play.”