Spring Valley gives Dozier send-off to McDonald’s game

One month after he was selected as a McDonald’s All-America player, the excitement is still building for Spring Valley senior P.J. Dozier. The McDonald’s Columbia Co-Op sponsored a send-off reception for the point guard on Wednesday at the school.

“(It’s a) little nerve-wracking, you know, but, at the same time, (I’m) just ready to go play ball. That’s what we’ll all be there for, and just to get that great experience that not everybody gets to experience,” said Dozier, who will travel to Chicago on Saturday in advance of Wednesday’s McDonald’s All-American boys game at the United Center.

“The Dozier family is competitive, so I’m going up there to play good basketball,” he said.

P.J. Dozier missed his junior season after having surgery on a torn ACL, and missed a portion of his senior season when he reinjured the same knee. Yet, the future Gamecock crossed the 1,000-point career scoring mark, was named the Class 4A All-state player of the year by the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association, and helped lead the Vikings to their first region title in over 30 years.

“For him,” said Perry Dozier Sr., Spring Valley’s coach and P.J.’s father, “because he had to sit out a year, and really had to prove himself this year, I think he did a great job just proving that he can play this game.”

Dozier’s family, teammates, athletics director Tim Hunter, the program’s state championship girls’ team and several district representatives came out to congratulate Dozier and wish him well.

Dozier is the second player in his family to be tabbed a McDonald’s All-American. His uncle, Terry Dozier, played in the game in 1985.

“Just to have him to look up to, he’s a very important role model that I’ve always had in my life, that started with me in the very beginning. So just having him here means a lot,” P.J. Dozier said.

Terry Dozier said: “Every time I’ve gone somewhere to speak at a school, they always talk about P.J., his personality ... and I know that that’s the reason why God allowed you to be on a greater stage than you are now. Not only just for yourself, but for your family, your school, your community, and for every young black man that seems to be misunderstood just because of the way they carry themselves.

“Thank you for carrying yourself in a way where we can be respected. I love you. God bless you. Good luck.”

The boys game tips off at 9 p.m. on ESPN.