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FULMER'S PLAN FOR BIG TOURNAMENT NEARS FRUITION
Published on: 12/05/2002
Section: NEIGHBORS 2
Edition: FINAL
Page: 12
By GERALD DAVIS
Staff Writer
Gary Fulmer is busy, in a good way.
After guiding the Richland Northeast boys basketball team to a Class
AAAA state runner-up finish last season, Fulmer stepped down as
coach. He didn't, however, step away from the game entirely. He had
a plan - to help organize the biggest and most competitive boys
basketball tournament in the Midlands.
In three weeks, Fulmer's plan will be in full motion as the
inaugural Chick-fil-A Classic kicks off Dec. 19. "I knew
(organizing a tournament) would be a huge undertaking and it hasn't
disappointed," Fulmer said. "But a lot of things have been done and
are in place. I'm excited because it's taking shape."
Richland Northeast will play host to the 12-team tournament, which
will be played at RNE and Spring Valley. There will be four Columbia
teams (Richland Northeast, Spring Valley, Brookland-Cayce, A.C.
Flora) in the Chick-fil-A Classic. Allendale-Fairfax (defending
Class AA champion), Calhoun County (last season's Class AA
runner-up), Silver Bluff and Myrtle Beach also are scheduled to
participate.
Landmark Christian (Fairburn, Ga.), Lee Senior (Sanford, N.C.),
Durham (N.C.) Hillside and McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) are the
out-of-state teams.
" (New Richland Northeast coach Jason Powell) said, 'Gary, I don't
think we've ever lost a tournament game at Richland Northeast and
I'm just hoping we can win two or three games in this one,'" Fulmer
said. "It's that competitive. We have stiff competition."
Of the eight local teams, six are ranked in the top six in their
classification. Of the Georgia teams, Landmark is ranked in the top
10 in Class A and McEachern is ranked in Class AAAAA, the largest
classification in that state.
"We're extremely excited about the Chick-fil-A Classic," Spring
Valley coach Robert Jackson said. "It's an added flavor for Midlands
basketball."
But Jackson, who's in his first season with the Vikings, is using
the tournament as a measuring stick.
"It's certainly a task for us because we've been thrown in against
Calhoun," he said. "But we look at our strength of schedule and see
it as a way to prepare us for a run in February and March. These
(tournament games) are simply practice games . . . but we're excited
about it."
Players galore. Not only are there talented teams scheduled to play
in the Chick-fil-A Classic, but there are some nationally ranked
players as well.
Durham (N.C.) Hillside's Bobby Perry, a 6-foot-8 senior forward,
averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds last season. He has verbally
committed to Kentucky. Todd Henley of Lee Senior (Sanford, N.C.) is
a 6-9 forward who has committed to Wake Forest. Silver Bluff's
Brandon Wallace said he'll play for USC next season.
"There's going to be a lot of good basketball to watch," Fulmer
said. "We're also excited about the quality of players we have in
this tournament. Getting good players in here was one of our goals."
Jamison, who was selected one of the state's top five players by the
S.C. Basketball Coaches Association, also is ranked nationally.
"We're just thankful to have Jerell," said Ricky Bouknight,
Jamison's coach.
"Because he's ranked we're able to play in this thing. The big thing
is whether we'll be invited back."
Not just hoops. Basketball won't be the only means for entertainment
at the Chick-fil-A Classic.
There will be games, dancers and contests. Spectators will have
chances to win prizes ranging from a three-night stay at Disney's
Holiday Inn to a cool one million dollars.
"The biggest thing is getting the word out about all the things that
will be going on," Fulmer said. "We're taking a cue from minor
league baseball. If there's a break in the action, we want something
going on."
The Million Dollar shot will take place at halftime of the
championship game Dec. 21. Every paying fan will have a ticket for
the drawing.
"Everybody has an equal chance," Fulmer said. "This is going to be a
lot of fun. There won't be a dull time."
But in the meantime, Fulmer remains busy, but in a good way.
"These are exciting times for us," he said.
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