Walton for the win
- Updated: February 17, 2021
Alexandria edges Parker in 5A sub-regional 54-51 on D’Anthony Walton’s 3 at the buzzer; Cubs in regionals for first time since 2016
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
You had to figure the hottest scorer on the team would end up with the ball with the game on the line, even if it wasn’t designed to go that way.
D’Anthony Walton had never won a game with a last-second shot before, but he was the hero Wednesday when he nailed a 3-pointer from the right side right before the buzzer sounded to send Alexandria to a 54-51 win over Parker to keep its season alive.
The win sends the Valley Cubs to the Class 5A Northeast Regional where they’ll play Douglas Friday in the Sweet 16. It’s their first trip to the regionals since 2016.
“I can’t even explain the feeling,” Walton said. “It’s just a great feeling.”
Truth be told, the last play was supposed to finish in the hands of Javais McGhee driving to the basket, but the Thundering Herd did a nice job double-teaming the point guard on the inbounds and cutting off that option. That left Walton to race up the floor with less than five seconds to play, get some separation from Cortland Watkins at the arc and fire before the horn sounded.
The shot hit nothing but net and the gym erupted before the ball ever reached the ground.
“We run some last-second plays with (McGhee) in practices every day, but Julian (Wright) fouling out prevented us from being able to go where we initially go with the ball,” Cubs coach Jason Johnson said. “It was kind of freelanced to a certain degree, but D is the kind of guy we want with the ball. He’s been money the last two games.”
Big money. In the Cubs’ two wins in the area tournament he went for 30 against St. Clair County and 31 in the championship game against Moody. He finished with 15 against the Herd.
“I’m just trying to be consistent,” he said.
Actually, Walton wasn’t having the best of days shooting when found himself with the game in his hands. He was only 1-of-6 from 3-point range before his game-winner – the Cubs were just 3-of-19 as a team – and that came in the second quarter.
“I was off today,” he said. “That (final shot) made up a lot.”
The Valley Cubs never trailed in the last three quarters, but they were certainly couldn’t get comfortable. The Herd were within two points or less six times in the second half, within one twice in the final two minutes. Even Walton admitted he was a little nervous.
Parker tied it at 51 with 5.7 left on Demarco Miles’ put back in traffic with 5.7 to play and the Cubs immediately called time to set up their final play.
Landan Williams led the Cubs with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Wright had 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting with seven rebounds and four blocked shots. The Cubs outrebounded Parker 32-20.
“We’re just tickled to death that we survive and go to another game,” Johnson said. “That’s all you can do right now in this situation.”
Alexandria 54, Parker 51
PARKER – Edarius Cowart 2 0-1 4, Keith Body 6 2-7 14, Ross Holloway 4 1-2 10, Cortland Watkins 1 0-0 2, Jalen McMillian 2 0-0 5, Caleb Austin 0 0-0 0, Demarco Miles 7 1-1 15, Christopher Williams 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 5-13 51.
ALEXANDRIA – Javais McGhee 3 1-1 7, D’Anthony Walton 3 7-8 15, Collin Taylor 0 2-5 2, Ivonte Davis 0 1-2 1, Kory Cargal 0 0-0 0, Julian Wright 5 3-8 13, Landan Williams 6 3-6 16. Totals 17 17-30 54.
Parker 14 7 12 18 – 51
Alexandria 14 12 10 18 – 54
3-point goals: Parker 2 (Holloway, McMillian); Alexandria 3 (Walton 2, Williams). Fouled out: Wright. Total fouls: Parker 24, Alexandria 14. Officials: Tidwell, Kelley, Howell.
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