On Monday night, the Mervo gym was packed considerably more than a typical home boys basketball game.

The overflow crowd was a fitting tribute to the Mustangs’ beloved coach Dietrich Williams, who died from a heart attack on Jan. 17. He was 54.

In addition to being part of the Mustangs’ basketball program — he was the junior varsity coach and a varsity assistant for 14 years before becoming varsity coach this season — Williams also served on the school’s support staff for the past 15 years.

An always-giving fixture, his death stretches throughout the Mervo community. Before Monday’s game, the team’s first at home since he died, Williams’ life was celebrated.

“I’m just amazed at the impact he was able to have on so many different levels,” said athletic director Patrick Nixon, who started work at Mervo the same year as Williams. “I never saw a person really have so many genuine connections with so many people. He would just do anything and everything for you. He genuinely cared and loved this school and everybody in it so much.”

On Monday, students stayed long after the final bell to honor their mentor. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, a Mervo graduate, sat in the front row. Former players, parents and opposing coaches made their way to Mervo.

During the pregame tribute, the time on the scoreboard read 21, the number Williams wore as a standout player at Dunbar, where he was a 1989 graduate and state champion.

The school presented the Williams family with the game ball from his last victory, a portrait and a donation to help with funeral expenses.

Speaking at center court, Williams’ older brother, Emil Curry, led an inspiring rally cry.

“One, two, three — Coach D! Four, five six — Forever!”

A moment of silence followed and then the Mustangs, now led by former varsity assistant Kevin Simpson, went on to beat rival Digital Harbor to improve to 7-3 on the season.

“One of the biggest things I can say about my brother Dietrich is that he was passionate, he was genuine. When you see this outpour tonight, it shows,” Curry said. “It humbles you when you get to see it here in real life, the impact and imprint he had on people. I don’t want anybody to be sad. People are going to mourn the way they want to mourn, but the biggest thing is to celebrate his life and keep his legacy going.”

After considering just a few of the many contributions Williams made every day at Mervo — starting with him being at the bus stop each morning to assure the students safely arrived at school — Mervo principal Dr. Jermaine Skinner matter-of-factly stated: “You can’t replace him. We’re just going to have to try to pivot and do the things in the spirit that he would do it. That’s going to be a very tall order.”

In addition to coaching at Mervo, Williams also was a longtime coach in the Team Thrill AAU youth program. He poured as much love into coaching the game as he did playing and the care extended beyond the X’s and O’s.

Mervo senior Marquise McDougal got an earful from “Coach D” after he was late for study hall a few weeks ago.

“It was 3:30 that day, but study hall is usually at 4. He told me ‘Marquise, you’re not going to play at the next level if you do that. You’re going to be sent home.’ That’s when it hit me,” McDougal said. “Then he told me, ‘Fix your face, it’s all right.’ Another real-life lesson he taught me, so it was a learning experience. He helped everybody like that and always made sure everybody was good.”

Former Mervo standout Will Thomas, who recently reached the 1,000-point plateau in his final season at Morgan State, returned to the school Monday to show his support. Back in his high school days, he said he transferred from Mount Carmel largely because of Williams. Edmondson coach Darnell Dantzler Sr., a fellow Dunbar grad and close friend who was two years younger than Williams, also made his way to Mervo on Monday.

“Dietrich was just a gentle, humble man who always gave back. Excellent father, friend and coach,” Dantzler said.

Williams is survived by his mother, Rosiland Williams; three children and three grandchildren; and six siblings. The viewing will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 at Wylie On The Alameda with the funeral service starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 8 at Israel Baptist Church.

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