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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Veteran head coach Rickey Pulliam of the Chilton County High School’s varsity girl’s basketball team earned his 100th career win on Jan. 30 against Elmore County High School.

Pulliam, who coached at Hueytown High School before CCHS, was recognized following the Tigers AHSAA Class 6A Area 5 tournament championship win on Feb. 6. He was presented a plaque and shadow box with photos for the milestone, and a video featuring Pulliam’s current players, former players, family and fans was compiled to congratulate him on the achievement.

“I did not even know I was this close to 100,” Pulliam said. “It was great to get it after coming to a place like Clanton where we really wanted to build a winning program, and the girls bought into doing everything the right way. It is not so much about the 100 wins, but more about the team’s buy in and doing everything the right way.”

Pulliam is in his second season leading the CCHS varsity girl’s basketball program, and he brought assistant coaches with him as well to add to other assistants, which have been invaluable to the success of the team the last two seasons — Caleb Andrews, Shavonne Baker, Roman Fletcher, Walter Postell Jr. and Kelvin Sterling. Each coach has a specific role in the team and have been a huge asset to Pulliam.

“It was special for me, but I think it was more special to the staff like Sterling, Andrews and Fletcher because they have been a huge part of my success, and I could not have done it without them,” Pulliam said.

Pulliam’s family attended the Feb. 6 game to see him recognized, including his mother, which made it even more special for him. He said she is always giving feedback on the team, and when they are not playing well, she will call him and give him suggestions.

“Any time my mom makes a game (it is special), and she is my biggest critic,” Pulliam said. “For her to be there that night was special … My family made the whole night special, and I was surprised because I did not know anything about it. It made my 100 wins so much bigger.”

Pulliam and the Tigers advanced to the Sweet 16 of the AHSAA Class 6A state basketball playoffs for the first time in school history this season, adding to the list of feats achieved during the coach’s first two seasons.