Clint Thompson
THOMASVILLE — Thomasville already has one tournament title.
Another could be within reach when the undefeated Bulldogs travel to Ocala, Fla. next week to play in the Kingdom of the Sun tournament.
Thomasville is one of 16 teams from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Kentucky scheduled to play in the tournament that begins Monday and concludes Thursday.
“We get a chance to play against a lot of good teams from the central and south Florida area,” Thomasville coach Ben Tillman said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to play more than two games. We’re only guaranteed two, but there’s a maximum of four. It’s a very humbling experience. It gives the kids a chance to go out and showcase some of their talent.
“This particular tournament will have anywhere from 40-50 Division coaches there. Hopefully, we’ll get some scholarship opportunities for some of our seniors.”
Thomasville, which won its Holiday Hoopfest on Wednesday, was invited to the Kingdom of the Sun tournament after a sponsor saw the Bulldogs play at a summer camp at the University of Florida. It was one of two tournaments the Bulldogs were invited to — the other being the City of the Palms tournament in Fort Myers, Fla.
“We opted to go to the Kingdom because we’re young,” Tillman said. “I think it’ll be a good experience for the kids.
“It’s still a major tournament. It’s one of the top tournaments in the Southeast. We’re excited.”
Thomasville has five seniors — Charles Hayes, Fred Holton, Seandarius Coleman and Anthony Anderson. Three of the Bulldogs starters, though, are sophomores, including Trey Gosier, Willie Clayton and Robert Carter.
The youthful Bulldogs have already navigated a tough schedule this year, recording wins against Mitchell County, Albany, Goose Creek (S.C.) and Bainbridge in the Hoopfest title game. Playing against top-quality teams next week will better prepare the Bulldogs for the second half of the season and a shot at a second straight region title.
“That’s exactly why I’m glad Goose Creek came. It gave us an opportunity to play against some kids that we haven’t seen before. It also gives us a chance to play against some kids that are much taller and have more than one tall kid on the team,” Tillman said. Thomasville’s first game is Monday at 1 p.m. against Summit Christian.
n THS PLAYERS BEING RECRUITED: Carter and Clayton are already garnering plenty of attention from college coaches despite only being sophomores. Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton was at Thomasville’s game against Early County earlier this season watching the two post players.
They aren’t the only Thomasville stars being looked at, however.
“Sean D. (Coleman) has really opened a lot of eyes from area schools, Valdosta State, Albany State,” Tillman said. “Those schools are very interested in him.”
Coleman is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound senior.
