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SPORTS THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 15 -21, 2024 • PAGE 10 Panthers coach reaches milestone Eugene Brown (center) got his 300th win as a DeKalb County coach after getting win No. 400 as a high school coach in 2023’s region title game. Photo provided BY MARK BROCK Southwest DeKalb High School boys' basketball head coach Eugene Brown got his 300th career win in DeKalb County on Jan. 9 when his Panthers team defeated Stephenson 47-32. The milestone win for Brown comes after 17 seasons of coaching in DeKalb County School District for Southwest DeKalb and Stone Mountain high schools. Brown now has a record of 304-165 and a 64.8 percent win after spending 2001-2006 at Stone Mountain (108-58) and returning to Southwest DeKalb where he has been for 11 seasons (196-107). "When you have a role in positively influencing the lives of young students, it is not about the records and accomplishment but the events and lessons that occur in between that forever impact their character," said Brown. "There's no better way to repay the opportunities afforded you than to help the young people you influence to reach their full potential as students, athletes, and productive citizens." In his six seasons at Stone Mountain, he had playoff appearances in 2003-2004 and a 26-5 record and state semifinal game in 2004. Brown then coached at Alcovy High School in Covington, Georgia, from 2007 to 2013. He had a 106-87 record with a pair of region titles at the non- DeKalb school. Combined with his 304-165 record in DeKalb, Brown has a career total of 410-252 (62 percent) over 25 seasons. His 400th career victory came in a 53-45 win over Holy Innocent's in the Region 6-4A title game in 2023. Brown and the Panthers returned to the playoffs and reached the Elite 8 in 2016, which was Brown's third season back in DeKalb. He has seven state playoff appearances at Southwest DeKalb, including back-to- back semifinal runs in 2019 (24-7) and 2020 (19-13). "When you've been at it for this long, there's probably hundreds of people to thank, but first and foremost, I thank my wife and family for allowing me to be in the gym as much as I have been," said Brown. "I also need to thank my coaching staffs and administrative staffs for helping me to develop and guide the student athletes." Brown continued, "The athlete's parents are also to be thanked for trusting us to help develop the skills and character of their children. Finally, the players themselves that are receptive to being coached hard as we wouldn't be here without them." His playoff accomplishments include three semifinal appearances, four Elite 8 runs, and six trips to the Sweet 16. PLAYOFF Continued From Page 9 6 tournament. Results were unknown at press time, but any DeKalb teams that advance will play in the semifinals or finals scheduled for Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 at Holy Innocents High School. Semifinal games will occur at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 16; the championship is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 4 p.m. In Class 2A Region 5, Columbia, McNair, Redan, and Towers all played on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13, with results unknown at press time. Winners will advance to the semifinals on Feb. 15 at Eagle's Landing Christian Academy at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The championship is scheduled for the same venue at 7 p.m. on Feb. 16. Drew Charter will play in Class 2A Region 6's tournament. If Drew Charter wins its first three games, it will play in the finals on Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Mt. Paran High School. Greenforest played in the Class 1A D-ll championship on Feb. 12 at Columbia, but results were unknown at press time. Following the completion of region tournaments, playoff schedules will be posted at GHSA.net/basketball. FOR MORE SPORTS STORIES VISIT US ONLINE © THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM Holding a basketball, Southwest DeKalb head coach Kathy Richey-Walton celebrates with her team and coaches after getting career-win No. 500. SWD Continued From Page 9 who wanted the student athletes at Southwest DeKalb to be successful," added Walton. "I feel fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, and I'm not sure if we could have accomplished so much anywhere else. Also, my family has been such a tremendous support through this journey." In addition to the 500 wins, Walton was named the 2008 and 2010 Garland F. Pinholster High School Coach of the Year, the 2009 Black Coaches and Administrators National High School Coach of the Year, the 2009 Bobby Cremins State Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010, the 2008 DeKalb County Coach of the Year, and the 2009 Georgia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Teacher of the Year. Walton was also named the 2014 Southwest DeKalb High School Teacher of the Year. Walton also coached the Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers to the program's 1,000th win in 2022. In 2023, Walton and her staff were selected to coach in the McDonald's High School All-American girls' game. The Champion Editor Jay Phillips contributed to this piece.
