08/03/2023
This weekend, the Fort Mill Kings will play in the aptly named "Charleston Finale" as our very last program tournament. TEN years ago, Coach Don Elliott created a grass roots program with the vision of wanting to lead a group of young boys in a sport that they loved as they grew together into young men. As we embark on our last tournament, the Kings are ranked 4th in the state of SC for BigShots Nation 17U division - 24th Nationwide out of over 1800 teams in the circuit for the 17U division. Our program has weathered elementary, middle and high school with this group of young men - they stuck together through a global pandemic that shut down the world. While everyone else was quarantined, our group of families who have been together for years decided that they would extend their family circle to include each Kings family. The boys were able to keep playing and practicing in the sport that they loved because our coaches and families wanted to keep our boys engaged through a very scary and uncertain time. Through practices outside, spreading community joy by Flocking yards with the Kings Flamingo Flock as a fundraiser that allowed them to travel to AAU World Championship games when the world came back on the grid, our coaches and families kept this group of boys fully engaged in the sport they loved. This group of exceptional young men have added players over the years, seen some step away from the game - but through it all have remained committed to a program that has helped shape them into the young men they are today. As we embark on our very last travel weekend with the Kings - we thank Coach Don Elliott for his commitment to the men of the Fort Mill Kings. His vision 10 years ago was the gift that each of these boys needed. Coach Elliott has had two exceptional assistant coaches over the years - John Brown 2013 - 2021 and Toby Chrisley 2021-2023 who have helped make the program what it is today. These men have given the Kings an example of commitment, dedication, team unity and most importantly a foundation of brotherhood that will carry them through the rest of their lives. Cheers to the Fort Mill Kings - You ALL have made us very proud! 🏀🏆
