Any thoughts that Zion Williamson’s commitment ceremony last month would serve as a dress rehearsal for Spartanburg Day School’s nationally-televised game against Greensboro Day on Thursday were quickly proven wrong.
Williamson’s commitment, broadcast live on the ESPN family of networks, attracted national attention and a full production crew.
The Griffins’ 5:30 game on Thursday, which will be televised on ESPN2, is an entirely different proposition.
“What they brought in (in January) is nothing like this,” SDS athletic director Rita Harrell said. “We have a 75-foot truck parked outside. There’s a crew of about 40 people. We have 10 pages with phone numbers and emergency plans. It’s the most detailed thing I’ve ever seen.”
Harrell said the broadcast team is prepared for every eventuality, from severe weather delays to other possibilities. There’s a detailed timing sheet for when to open the doors, when to start warmups, and when to play the National Anthem, among other items.
“Everything has to go off on the second,” she said.
The game will be the culmination of months of work. ESPN made a site visit after Christmas, walking through the facilities and measuring for cables. The event even required some improvements.
“Our biggest hangup has been having the internet service and all the wiring they need,” Harrell said. “We brought in an IT guy and had to add some lines just for them to set up. It’s crazy. Everything is just so precise and on-schedule. I don’t know what they do if they have a glitch.”
On the court, the game will match All-American and Duke commitment Williamson and the Griffins against the Bengals and Clemson commitment John Newman. On the television, Harrell knows the impact could be about much more than basketball.
“From a school standpoint, I think it’s great exposure,” she said. “Spartanburg Day is getting something that would’ve never happened otherwise. I don’t know how long-lasting the impact will be, or if anyone will remember it Friday morning, but it’s great exposure.”
Harrell said she has watched as Williamson has handled the exposure that he attracts.
“If I have an SDS shirt on, the first thing somebody asks me is if I know Zion,” she said. “Some things happen that you couldn’t imagine. I’ve seen people take their shoes off and go running out to him to get them signed. People want to get close to him. It’s almost like being around a rock star. People want a piece of a memory. It’s amazing to see what he’s attracted, and he just takes it all in stride.”