AfterShocks | 7/23/2022 10:15:00 PM

 
Darral Willis watched last summer's AfterShocks from the sidelines. He enjoyed returning to Koch Arena as a spectator.
 
He is having even more fun on the court in his debut with the AfterShocks. Willis, who played for Wichita State from 2016-18, scored 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 19 minutes to help the AfterShocks defeat Air Raiders 70-60 on Saturday in the second round of The Basketball Tournament.
 
The AfterShocks advance to TBT's third round for a second straight season. They play Bleed Green (North Texas alumni) at 8 p.m. (ESPN2).
 
Conner Frankamp led the AfterShocks with 21 points, making 7 of 12 shots. He is 11 of 18 from the field in the two games.
 
Willis, who scored 11 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Friday's win 83-52 win over We Are D3, is giving the AfterShocks exactly what coaches and teammates expected. His left-handed shooting stroke remains deadly and his energy and jumping ability pay off with rebounds.
 
"He gives us a sense of confidence – no matter what you're going to have that killer dog mentality," teammate Zach Brown said. "He's always had that. That's what's made him so successful to this day – him not backing down."
 
 

NO NO NO not in Darral Willis Jr.'s house 😤@AfterShocksTBT pic.twitter.com/YhGBAz7leC

— TBT (@thetournament) July 24, 2022

That is what Willis wants to be known for.
 
"I'm just a soldier," he said. "I don't back down."
 
Willis, a 6-foot-9 forward, gave the AfterShocks the lead for a good with his six-point burst to start the fourth quarter. He completed a three-point play, from an offensive rebound, to give the AfterShocks a 50-49 lead. His three-pointer from the top of the key made it 53-49.
 
"I'm so glad to be back in front of these fans," he said. "I always love playing in front of them. Last year, that really inspired me to come back. It's a different feeling playing at Koch Arena."
 
In two games, Willis is 10 for 13 from the field with 19 rebounds. On Saturday, when starting center James Dickey picked up two early fouls, Willis subbed in to spark a 13-2 run with four points.
 
Willis played last season for BC Enisey in Russia and hasn't signed with a team for 2022-23 yet.
 
"He's one of the most talented offensive guys you can have on your team," AfterShocks coach J.R. Simon said. "Being athletic. Rebounding. All those things bring a huge spark for us."
 
 

Conner Frankamp PUTS ON THE MOVES AND HITS THE THREEEE 🔥 @GoShockersMBB @AfterShocksTBT: 13@AirRaidersTBT: 4

Live on ESPN3 & @Sling 📺 pic.twitter.com/OTaZQzVfeK

— TBT (@thetournament) July 24, 2022

The AfterShocks wore down the Air Raiders, a team of Texas Tech alums, with their depth and aggressive defense. They jetted to a 13-2 lead. They outscored the Air Raiders by 10 points in the fourth quarter. Air Raiders ShawnDre Jones played 30-plus minutes for a second consecutive night and Davion Warren wasn't far behind with his workload.
 
The AfterShocks, with Rashard Kelly and Brown keying the defense, trapped at key points to wear down the Air Raiders. Warren scored two points in the fourth quarter after scoring 21 in the first three. Jones finished with 16, four in the final quarter.
 
Warren made two foul shots to cut the lead to 56-53 with 6:17 to play. The Air Raiders didn't score again until 3:54 remained and the AfterShocks had built an eight-point lead.
 
Paul Suellentrop covers Wichita State Athletics and the American Athletic Conference for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.