AfterShocks | 7/20/2023 11:04:00 PM
By Paul Suellentrop
The AfterShocks are missing some of their familiar faces, but the look when it comes to winning time remains consistent.
When pushed, the AfterShocks can dial up the defense. That's been a hallmark of their past two deep runs in The Basketball Tournament. Thursday's 66-54 win over B1 Ballers in front of 4,515 fans at Koch Arena showed a strong defensive effort is still in their bag.
"Sometimes, you've find yourself deep down inside and play some defense," guard Tyrus McGee said. "For the three years I've been here, we've clicked as a unit. We understand each other."
The AfterShocks advance to play Beale Street Boys, a Memphis alumni team that defeated Broad Street Birds 73-67 on Thursday, at 8 p.m. Friday (ESPN2). Wichita State's 2013 Final Four team will be recognized at halftime.
To get to that celebration, the AfterShocks had to rally after trailing 34-31 at halftime and overcome a sluggish offense.
They dominated the third quarter with their defense by holding B1 Ballers to eight points and grabbing 46-42 lead. The Ballers made 6 of 16 three-pointers in the first half, but 2 of 12 in the second half.
The AfterShocks, in the second half, alternated big and small lineups and adjusted their switching defense to take away back cuts and stay with shooters. Their defensive depth – ranging from center Marcus Lee to versatile forwards Trey Wade, Caleb Walker, Markis McDuffie and Jordan Parks – took over.
"We weren't playing great defense in the first half," forward Darral Willis Jr. said. "Our strategy in the second half was to just to come out and play a little bit harder, more aggressive."
With only three full-team practices, the AfterShocks are figuring out how things are different due to the absence of Rashard Kelly and Zach Brown, both key figures in the past tournaments.
"There's some new faces, so figuring out what works and the chemistry," Bush said. "Being really athletic and interchangeable – nobody's truly a (center) out there. It gives us opportunities both offensively and defensively."
Only the ending looked easy for the AfterShocks. Parks slipped wide, wide open and McGee passed to him for the dunk that reached the Elam Ending target score and ended it.
The first 64 points seemed to come hard as the Ballers threw a zone defense, often trapping, to force 13 turnovers and limit the AfterShocks to 6-of-22 three-point shooting in the first half.
"We got three full days together, because we had some flight issues," Bush said. "I know it didn't show, but I feel like we worked on some good stuff in practice. It took a little while. There's not much you can do on the fly – guys just have to be players."
Willis led the AfterShocks with 12 points, nine in the second half. McGee scored eight of his 11 in the second half.
The AfterShocks battled through that tough opener to get to Friday's second round and to make the Final Four introductions part of the show. Bush, a redshirt freshman on that team, is excited to see teammates such as Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker, Cleanthony Early, Evan Wessel and others back in Koch Arena on Friday.
"Special," Bush said. "To have all those guys here, it's family. It means a lot."
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
