ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997 TAG: 9703260057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: RAY COX THE ROANOKE TIMES
Another frustrating basketball season for the Highlanders could not overshadow the accomplishments of some of its players.
Not to suggest that the 1996-97 Radford University Highlanders men's basketball team was a one-man operation, but it was true that the team's fortunes often tended to march to the changing rhythms of its most accomplished player.
Anthony Walker lit it up and the Highlanders' wick burned a little brighter. Anthony Walker limped and the Highlanders needed a cane.
Certainly it is risky to sink so much of a physical and emotional investment into one player. Certainly Radford had no choice.
The minute that Walker went down the day before the start of the Big South Conference tournament, an ankle that had been rolled many times taking another agonizing turn, the reaction was instantaneous.
Ron Bradley, the Highlanders' coach, described a roomful of basketball players with the color drained from their faces.
Walker, as was typical of him, soldiered on, playing both the opening-round victory over North Carolina-Greensboro and also in the semifinal loss to Liberty. His presence inspired but wasn't enough to prevent the Highlanders from losing for the eighth time in nine semifinal outings at the tournament.
For the 12th time in as many attempts, Radford trudged home with no tournament crown.
``It hangs over all of us, the fans, the players, everybody,'' Bradley said of Radford's long run of postseason futility. ``It's just there.''
As good an epitaph as any for the past season, the 15-13 record and third-place finish in the Big South's regular-season race notwithstanding.
Despite the team's fate, people who prefer a more positive slant can admire the accomplishments of three individuals - senior center Eric Bowens, junior guard Corey Reed, and Walker.
Walker finished his career highly placed in many of Radford's statistical categories: second in scoring, second in steals, fifth in free-throw percentage, and first in assists. Bradley has been pulling every string he can think of to get Walker a shot at some level of professional basketball. Bradley's efforts were responsible in part for Walker's invitation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, a heavily scouted showcase for prospects.
``What Anthony has done here has been remarkable,'' Bradley said. ``I'd like to see what he can do at the next level.''
Bowens, a well-muscled 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, was one of the top post scorers in the league, averaging 15.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Pretty solid for a guy who had career averages of 4.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game coming into the season.
``After being a disappointment the first three years here, Eric really came on,'' Bradley said.
As did Reed, a cerebral sort (he has a 3.9 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale majoring in chemistry) who has averaged 48.3 percent 3-point accuracy for his career. A fine passer as well as scorer (11.1 ppg.), Reed started every game this year and will be one of the players Radford will build around next year.
Along with Walker and Bowens, Radford will be losing guard Marquiz Williamson and forward Mike Petin. Williamson, a junior college transfer, spent his two-year RU career in and out of favor. He never was completely comfortable with the Bradley system. Petin, also a transfer, was a hard-playing role player restricted to limited minutes.
Of the returning players, the closest scrutiny will be cast upon 6-8 Kevin Robinson and 6-9 Eric Parker, who will both be seniors. Neither yet has lived up to the potential envisioned for them.
``It's mental and physical toughness, to be perfectly frank,'' Bradley said. ``Both of them must step up next year.''
They will be joined by 6-9 Jermaine Williams, a redshirt senior coming off knee surgery, and 6-9 Ryan Charles, who showed promise this season as a freshman.
In the backcourt, point guard Rian Everett and shooting guard Leslie Ballard could evolve into a potent combination. Rising senior Chibi Johnson and Jon Belt provide depth. Johnson provides valuable experience and the hard-nosed Belt toughness.
Radford also will welcome a promising class of recruits, including 6-6 Jason Williams of Bladensburg, Md., 6-5 Mike Gibson of Fort Belvoir, and 6-foot Byron Hall of Falls Church, as well as walk-on guard Bryan Pruett of Narrows.
There ought to be a reasonable amount of optimism regarding next season. That is, provided the Highlanders get over this season and the recurring disappointment of the postseason in timely fashion.
``The final chapter of this season was that we didn't win the tournament again,'' Bradley said. ``Bottom line was we didn't get it done.''
LENGTH: Medium: 89 linesby CNB