text: Georgia high school basketball coach Greg Scott hadn't been feeling well lately, so on Monday he went to his doctor where he was shocked to discover he had leukemia. Less than 24 hours after the devastating diagnosis, the 51-year-old married father of two and grandfather unexpectedly succumbed to the deadly disease. For the past eight years, Scott had taught special education and social studies at Cass High School and was the school's head basketball coach. Sudden death: Less than 24 hours after Georgia high school basketball coach Greg Scott (left) was diagnosed with leukemia, he succumbed to the illness . Mentor: For the past eight years, Scott (pictured right with his son) had taught special education and social studies at Cass High School and was the school's head basketball coach . Towering figure: The teacher and sports coach was universally remembered as a deeply caring, wise man who was committed to his students and players . But those who knew him, including his colleagues and players, say there was much more to Scott than his love of sports. False hope: Initially, Scott (pictured with daughter Cieanna) and his family were told that his leukemia was treatable . Greg Scott, 51, a basketball coach at Cass High School in Georgia, likely had contracted a fast-moving type of leukemia, known as acute myeloid leukemia, months before his death but was diagnosed only a day before he lost his brief battle with the illness. Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in cells that form new blood cells. These cells are found in the soft, inner part of the bones called the bone marrow. In patients who suffers from AML, the cancer grows quickly, and if not treated, could be fatal in a matter of months. With acute types of leukemia such as AML, bone marrow cells do not mature the way they're supposed to. These immature cells, called blast cells, just keep building up. Because it is ‘acute,’ this type of leukemia can spread quickly to the blood and to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes; liver; spleen; brain and spinal cord, as well as testicles in men. This type of cancer is considered rare and has a five-year survival rate of only 24 per cent. AML can be treated with radiation, chemotherapy stem cell transplant, but like with other types of cancer, early detection is key. ‘He was more about teaching kids how to be good people,’ Principal Mike Nelson told Atlanta Journal Constitution. ‘He wasn’t worried about winning or losses.’ A spokeswoman for the Bartow County Schools said Scott had fallen ill a few weeks ago and was diagnosed with pneumonia. After a week off for Spring Break, the coach returned to work Monday but still was not feeling well. The 51-year-old school staffer took a sick day and sought medical treatment. Tests showed that the father of two had leukemia - a potentially terminal cancer of the blood. He was taken to Northside Hospital that day, where he suddenly passed away Wednesday morning. Coach Scott was described in glowing terms as an active member of the Cass High School community who was always willing to lend his colleagues a helping hand. Bobby Hughes, Cass' head football coach and longtime friend of Scott’s, said his unexpected passing devastated the entire school. Scott’s former player and assistant coach Drew McKaig told The Daily Tribune News the 51-year-old had made an enormous impact on the lives of students and colleagues alike. ‘He would talk to them. He would encourage people and pick them up,’ McKaig said. ‘Just him being a mentor to me and always talking to me, the one thing he always emphasized was not only wins and basketball games.’ The young assistant coach said that when Scott was transferred to the hospital Tuesday, he went to visit him. He remembered that the cancer-stricken man seemed determined to beat the disease. ‘He kept saying, “All I can do is fight it,”’ McKaig recalled. Initially, Scott and his family were told that his leukemia was treatable, but the reality turned out to be much bleaker. ‘He fought, but you can’t win every game,’ McKaig said. ‘You can’t win every battle.’ Following his passing Wednesday morning, Scott’s heartbroken players and students took to social media to mourn their loss. Junior Mike Sims wrote: ‘Coach Scott was like a father figure to me ... you will be missed I promise.’ Loving father: The 51-year-old leaves behind his wife, daughter Cieanna (left) and son Trey (right) Family man: The married father of two got to enjoy a few years with his young grandson, Luke Sisk (far right)
target: Cass High School head basketball coach Greg Scott, 51, lost his short battle with leukemia Wednesday .
  Family were initially told Scott's blood cancer was treatable, but the disease proved to be fast-moving .
  The teacher and coach is survived by his wife, two children and a young grandchild .