The sharp-shooter knew she didn't have far to go to reach 1,000, but when her shot went in on Jan. 19 and the game was stopped, it took her by surprise.
"At the beginning of the season, they told me I had about 250 points left and I said, 'Well, I think I can probably make it, but it will probably be towards the end of the season.' So I had no idea that it was coming as soon as it did. Then when I made that basket and they blew all the whistles, I had no idea what was going on. Then coach [Terrell] Barkley came out with that ball. It was so surreal," Fuller said.
That is exactly how Barkley wanted it to happen. The second-year coach didn't want one of his top players counting down points and worrying about that achievement, Barkley wanted Fuller focused on basketball and each game. Something as special as 1,000 career points shouldn't be worried about until it happens.
"I've been coaching about seven years, and I've only had two that's reached it. I know how much time has to be put in and I know it takes a while. She knew she had 250 and she'd ask me, 'How close am I?' I would tell her I don't know. When she hit it, she really didn't know," Barkley said.
This season has been good for the entire Lady Warrior squad that is 21-4 and lost just one region game this year, earned the No. 1 seed in the Region 4-A Tournament and is currently the No. 2 team in GISA Class A. For everything to come together, along with the personal milestone, makes it that much more special.
"It's been fantastic. This team is probably the best team I've ever played on and we've just grown so much as a team. I knew we were going to make it this far at the beginning of the season just because of how hard everyone works. The fact that this great season came when I got my 1,000 points just makes it that much better," Fuller said.
And looking back on her four-year career at OMA, there is one constant and that is being a part of something special.
"You're always part of the team. I think being in a small school and on a small team every year, you know that you always have your individual job on every team. I think that's been my favorite part because I know I've contributed every year," Fuller said.
Even though it might be Fuller scoring the points, she is getting a lot of help on any given night in a number of ways. She also helps her coach out a little bit by being a player opposing teams have to deal with every night.
"It's pretty awesome because somebody that can shoot as well as she can, you can be down by 10 and she makes two or three 3s and you're right back in the game. That expands the defense. If she's hitting 3s, they've got to run at her to try and stop her, then she can throw it inside because they're worried about just her. It makes my job a lot easier," Barkley said.
Now the Lady Warriors are focused on the GISA Region 4-A Tournament. OMA will host the winner between No. 4 Heirway Christian and No. 5 Solid Rock on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the region semifinals. It will be the third time this season that the Lady Warriors will match up against any team they face this week.
"We've played everybody, so we know, but one thing I talk about a lot is us. If we're doing what we're supposed to be doing, I think we've got a good chance. If we take care of our business, play defense, get good shots for our best players and keep doing what we've been doing, we'll be fine. The added bonus of that is, we've lost a [region] game so we know that can happen. Knowing that can happen, you can't go out there and give half an effort," Barkley said.
All the regular season and individual achievements won't matter as much if the Lady Warriors are upset this week, so the goal is as simple as one word to Barkley.
"Finish. We're 21-4. To have that kind of record, you've had a good season so you want to finish. The region tournament, you want to put yourself in the best spot and the No. 1 seed is the best spot to give yourself to win a championship. We've got it at our place, we're the No. 1 seed, we know who we're playing, we've just got to finish," Barkley said.
Another region title would be the second in a row at OMA and the third in four years. The second-year coach knows he's not necessarily the one that has gotten the Lady Warriors here, but he's certainly not going to be the one that stops the success.
"It would mean a lot, but I tell them all the time before I got here they were winning. I don't want to be the coach that stops them from winning. They've earned it. Before I got here, they won, last year we won," Barkley said. "Not many people can say, if we win this week, that they've won three region championships in their high school careers."
And a third region title would be the cherry on top of Fuller's already stellar career — well, at least until the state tournament begins.
"I can't even put into words how great that would be. A lot of people can't say that they've done that, so to say that I've had [three] region titles would be great," Fuller said.
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