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8 The Panther April 15-30, 2017 Clark Atlanta University Clark falls to University of Alabama at Huntsville in NCAA Tournament By Craig Allen Brown SPORTS EDITOR Coach Walker hopes to change basketball culture at CAU Despite a strong showing by the Panthers, CAU was defeated by the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) Chargers, 81- 96 in the NC AA tournament game that took place on March 11, on the UAH campus. Spirits were high among the CAU faithful, as the Panthers had made it to the national championship tournament for the first time in five years. But they would be in for a fight. UAH (24-7) was the number one ranked team in the South Region, and they had the luxury of playing on their home court. Things went south for the Panthers almost immediately. Less than two minutes into the game, CAU leading rebounder Lawrence Triplett sustained a hamstring injury that would prevent him from playing the rest of the game. However, on the very next play, Anthony Williams would sink the first of his many made three-pointers, giving CAU their first lead of the game. After a dunk by UAH’s Justin Ward ignited the home crowd, the Panthers would waste no time striking back. The Panthers would sink four three-pointers in a row - two by Williams, one by Derek Harper, and the last by CAU Tajai Johson defends UAH guard Brandon Roberts. Chuka Eneh - to reclaim the lead, 32-38. However, UAH would go on a run of its own to close out the first half. The Chargers would connect on three three-pointers and three free throws to go on a 12-1 run, including a three-pointer at the buzzer by UAH’s Chayse Elliot. The score at halftime was 43-53, UAH. UAH would come out strong after the break. Brandon Roberts and Dalton Barkley would both hit two lay-ups apiece, giving UAH a 52-67 advantage. But the Panthers would not lie down. Tajai Johnson had a ferocious block of a dunk attempt by the 6'6” Ward, and Photo by Chuck Edgeworth Michael Brittain was able to capitalize on the subsequent possession. Johnson would heat up in the late second half, scoring 10 of CAU's last 12 points. But the Chargers would just be too strong for the Panthers. UAH would go on an 11 -3 run in the final four minutes, to close the game out, 81-96. Johnson and Williams would lead the Panthers with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Williams and Tim Sanders would both grab six rebounds. UAH’s all-conference Roberts finished with 26 points. By Craig Allen Brown SPORTS EDITOR Throughout Darrell Walker’s basketball career, he has demonstrated a strong desire to always compete at the highest level. This mindset has significantly shifted the culture of the men’s basketball program at Clark Atlanta University. Coach Walker was fortunate to play at the University of Arkansas for one of college basketball’s all-time greats. College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Sutton. In his senior year. Walker led the Razorbacks to a 26-4 record and the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA tournament. He would be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft, and would compete in the NBA for 10 years, eventually winning a World Championship alongside, arguably, one of the greatest coaches and one of the greatest players of all time: Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan, respectively. Coach Walker states that even while serving in the NBA as an assistant coach, he always had dreams of becoming a college coach. Odds have it that the new coach would certainly be a good fit, as he had learned a great deal while playing for three Hall of Fame coaches during his time in the pros: Jackson, Chuck Daly and Wes Unseld. Coach Walker has never deviated from his stated objective: he was clear that the team's goal was to win a national championship. He was intent on winning, and was dedicated to making the men’s program a winning one. He also placed as much emphasis on education as he did basketball. Last year. Walker coordinated an art auction, with proceeds going to the costs of summer school for his players, ensuring that they would have the opportunity to graduate on time. Also, it is not uncommon for Coach Walker to ride around in a golf cart, going to his players’ classes, to ensure that they are attending regularly. "When you get a kid to come play for you, it’s important that they leave here with a degree,” he said. He cites his ability to have a positive effect on his players’ lives off the court as one of his most important responsibilities. In attempting to take the team even further next year, he and assistant coach Alfred Jordan have committed to making next year’s team bigger and even more athletic. In his first year as head coach of the men’s team, he more than doubled the win total from the previous year, collecting 21 wins as opposed to a total of just nine ail of last year. The team went on a four-game winning streak to end the regular season, clinching a share of the S1AC East regular season championship. His team led or tied the SIAC East in the number of division, conference, and overall wins. The Panthers won the SIAC men’s tournament, and Coach Walker was named the SIAC Tournament Coach of the Year. The Panthers were also awarded a berth in the NCAA Tournament, its first in five years. "I’m excited about being here,” Coach Walker said. "We’re going to get better, and we’re to keep winning games. We’re headed in the right direction.” Head Basketball Coach Darrell Walker