Versatility should fuel competitive 2019-20 Bulldogs

With nine returning players who have versatility as a strong point, Fulton High School’s Head Boys’ Basketball Coach John Dillard, starting his fourth run at the helm for the Bulldogs, has high hopes for the team for their 2019-2020 season.

“We have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions, and we have some experience on our roster, for the first time since I have been Head Coach at Fulton,” Dillard said.

To date, Dillard sees starting positions for Camarae Cobb, a 5’11” sophomore at point guard, with Cam Madding, a 6’1” senior as a second guard. Those two will be joined by a small forward, Amire Hobbs, a junior who is 6’1”, a power forward in Brennen Walker, a 6’5” senior and Kire Tribble, at center, a 6’2” junior.

Dillard said Cobb is quick to penetrate, while Madding can shoot the three or get to the bucket with his athleticism. Hobbs is also an athletic “slasher” according to the coach, with Walker possessing the ability to score inside and out and team mate Tribble also possessing that ability, as well being a strong rebounder.

First off the bench will be Rajon Hollowell, Deonate King and Devaris Scott. Hollowell is a junior, King and Scott, seniors.

In leadership roles, Walker and Madding have stepped up, as well as Tribble. While Walker and Madding are seniors, Tribble is a junior but is a returning player with “excellent” leadership skills.

While the degree of experience on the court for the Bulldogs is a phenomenal asset, the biggest challenge Dillard sees will be in the concentrated effort to take care of the basketball and limit turnovers.

He sets his sites on the Bulldogs maintaining a highly competitive showing in District 1 and transitioning that level on into the Region 1 Tournament.

As to the toughest opponents on the 2019-2020 schedule, out of District 1, Dillard points to Carlisle County, Hickman County and Fulton County, with Tennessee foes South Fulton, Dresden and Gibson County major forces.

Dillard will be assisted this year by Chris Mason, in his fourth season at FHS, Jewel Martin, in his second season for the Bulldogs and Darius Johnson, in his first year on the staff.

Dillard has 28 years of coaching experience, previously serving as Head Coach at Warren County, Tenn., and Todd County Central, 21 of those years at the college level, helping lead Connors State College in Oklahoma to the 1997 National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament, and Bacone Colege in Oklahoma to the 1999 National Junior College Athletic Association National Tournament. He was a part of the McNeese State University’s 2002 Southland Conference Championship as well as an appearance in the 2002 NCAA Tournament.