AfterShocks | 7/24/2023 11:45:00 AM
By Paul Suellentrop
The AfterShocks locker room is a whirlwind of current, former and honorary Shockers, their children, wives, girlfriends, fans and coaches. Zach Bush waits patiently in the middle as the congregants curse the plus-minus statistic and celebrate the latest win.
They congratulate each other on being "Dawgs" and "Doing what we do," a phrase Bush will echo in a few minutes when asked about Wichita State alums playing on while those from Kansas and Kansas State are done.
Then Bush captures the only appropriate mood now that the AfterShocks are in the quarterfinals of The Basketball Tournament, one win away from advancing to the semifinals in Philadelphia and three wins from the $1 million prize.
"Why not us?"
The AfterShocks defeated Team Arkansas 63-59 on Sunday at Koch Arena in front of 5,032, TBT's fourth-largest crowd in its 10-year history. Tyrus McGee, one of the honorary Shockers, made a three-pointer from the wing to end it.
The AfterShocks play Team Heartfire at 8 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN +) an Elite Eight game as the 64-team tournament heads to its conclusion. Heartfire, sponsored by a humanitarian and medical missionary organization, defeated Mass Street, the Kansas alums, 73-60 on Sunday.
The AfterShocks won despite shooting 3 of 22 from three-point range and are 17 of 79 (21.5 percent) from behind the arc in the three games.
"We've won three games and, in our minds, we haven't even played close to well offensively," Bush said. "Defensively, this is what we do. We love it. We clap our hands. Put on the hard hats. Sit down. We know our identity."
On Sunday, they limited their turnovers to seven, down from 13 and 16 in the first two games.
"We had to get the jitters out," McGee said.
Bush said one his challenges is managing a deep roster and handing out playing time. The numbers say the coaching staff's choices are working in the final five minutes and Elam Ending stretch.
The AfterShocks are winning with strong fourth quarters. They outscored B1 Ballers, Beale Street Boys and Team Arkansas 62-33 in the final periods. The AfterShocks overcome some of their offensive struggles in the fourth period, shooting 25 of 49 (51 percent) while holding opponents to 12 of 42 (28.5 percent).
"At some point, we're going to play well offensively," Bush said. "We're creating, now, good looks. We've gotten comfortable with each other. It's just a matter of time until they fall."
Honorary Shockers such as McGee, who played at Cowley County and Iowa State, Marcus Lee, California, and Caleb Walker, Butler Community College and Nebraska, are significant. Walker led the AfterShocks with 14 points on Sunday. Lee added 10 and five rebounds.
Walker, from Hutchinson, lives in Wichita. Bush said Wichita Eagle sportswriter Taylor Eldridge alerted him to Walker's availability after playing pickup games at the West YMCA. Walker played most recently in France, so Bush checked him out through former Shocker Markis McDuffie and other coaching friends.
"We were looking for another (shooting) guard," Bush said. "I looked him up and he's played in some really good leagues."
Bush, then an eighth grader, remembers going to a Hutchinson-Goddard high school game in 2008 and noticing Walker.
"That dude just looked different than everybody else," Bush said.
Walker, who said he visited Wichita State on a recruiting trip while at Butler before choosing Nebraska, jumped at the chance to join the AfterShocks.
"I got a text from (Bush) and thought, 'This is for the community and the city, why not?'" Walker said. "The guys were really welcoming. And then you get out on that floor you see how all the fans are and it's beautiful."
With Rashard Kelly and Zach Brown not playing this summer, the AfterShocks needed guards and forwards. Walker and Jordan Parks, from North Carolina Central, give coaches options for scorers and defenders on the perimeter.
In three games, Walker has made 13 of 24 shots and scored 10, 13 and 14 points. Against Team Arkanasas, his three-pointer provided a 58-55 lead and the AfterShocks never trailed again.
"This is exactly what we were hoping for," Bush said. "We needed someone to help carry the scoring load."
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.
