Corey Tull’s favorite quote comes from Pastor Robert Schuller. It reads, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
That’s quite fitting considering an injury will keep the 6-2 forward from Chagrin Falls from playing in the 2016 Ohio Varsity Senior Shootout presented by ScoreStream.com.
“I am sad I cannot participate in the game itself, but it was an honor to be selected for the game,” Tull said. “I'm excited to watch all the different players I've played against, seen or heard about over the years in the same game. It should be a very fun game to be a part of.”
For Tull, even being injured he couldn’t pass up being part of the event, which is an official fundraiser for The Wounded Warrior Project.
“It's a huge honor to participate in an event with such a great cause,” he said. “The Wounded Warriors Project is a great foundation that I am proud and honored to support in any way possible.”
Tull chipped his heel bone during the regular season and is expected to have minor surgery prior to the game. He’ll still dress for the Air Force All-Stars but he will not play.
“Knowing this is the last game of organized basketball is a bit saddening, however I am happy to end my career in a fun and meaningful game,” he said. “On game day, I will be a spectator. I'm disappointed I cannot participate in the game but happy I am still able to be a part of it in some way.”
After the game, Tull will focus on rehabbing his injury to prepare for his freshman season of football at Johns Hopkins University, where he’ll also study Economics.
Tull carries a 4.2 grade point average and was a Chagrin Valley Conference all-academic performer in football. He also earned all-conference and all-district honors on the gridiron.
He’s looking forward to continuing his football career in college and he’ll cherish all the memories he made playing basketball.
“I've been playing basketball since elementary school, I started because everybody played. I kept developing my game and my love for the sport grew with it,” he said. “The bond I had with my teammates resonates with me more than anything. The times we enjoyed together I will remember for a long time to come.”
The Senior Shootout, which will be played at Ursuline College's Seidman Gymnasium, begins at 5:00 p.m. with the boys’ all-star game. The girls will follow at 7:00 p.m. Click here to purchase presale tickets, which provide admission to both games.
