Local Basketball Players Named MVP at Anfernee “Tuck” Lewis Invitational Play Day
Fourteen basketball teams from across West Tennessee came out on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School to participate in the inaugural Anfernee “Tuck” Lewis Invitational Play Day.
The event originally started several years ago at the school as the Anfernee “Tuck” Lewis Jamboree.
“The school got away from holding the jamboree,” said Fayette-Ware head basketball Coach Demarius Chearis, who was also Anfernee’s AAU coach. “I knew it was something I wanted to bring back in some capacity, so I brought it back with the approval of my athletic directors as an Invitational play day this year.”
The play day was well received with approximately 170 players participating in the event. Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) and Middleton High School (MHS) basketball teams were among the 14 teams that played in honor of “Tuck”, a Fayette-Ware basketball player, who passed away in June 2008.
“Tuck” meant a lot to the county before and after his passing,” said Chearis. “As an athlete and friend, he brought a lot of people together at a young age from different towns within Fayette County.”
Along with fans of the participating teams, in the crowd watching the games were several of Anfernee Lewis’ family members. Coach Chearis is also Anfernee’s cousin. Anfernee’s uncle, Walter “Kitty” Perry, presented the MVP awards after the game. Perry, who has worked in the Fayette County school district since 1984, played point guard for Fayette-Ware from 1967 -1968 when the school was named W.P. Ware High School.
Jamarion Anderson of BCHS was named MVP of the game played against Southwind High School with a score of 54 – 51.
RJ Robinson of MHS was named MVP of the game played against Bluff City High School with a score of 65 – 43.
“It was great to see everyone come out to support this event and help it be successful,” said Chearis. “We are looking forward to it being bigger and better for years to come.”
Photos courtesy of Adarius Murphy.
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