“This might be a different floor, but nothing beats this feeling.”

The former Brantley head basketball coach has another trophy to add to his list – but this one won’t fit in a trophy case.

Brantley School’s gymnasium got a shiny new hardwood basketball court this summer with one very special addition – it has been named after Coach Tony Stallworth and has his name monogrammed in the top corner.

“This gym has been a second home to me because I’ve spent numerous afternoons and weekends in there,” Stallworth said. “So coming back to it and seeing that is just phenomenal.”

“Most people don’t get to see something like this done for them,” he explained. “It’s like a memorial that’s given for someone after they’re gone—but I get the best of both worlds because I’m still here to enjoy seeing it, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”

Brantley Mayor Bernie Sullivan presented the idea to the Board of Education, and they adopted a resolution to go forward with the idea.

Stallworth wanted to personally thank Mayor Sullivan, Superintendent Kathi Wallace, the Board of Education, and the Town of Brantley for acknowledging him in such a manner.

Stallworth, who is originally from Beatrice, Ala., moved to Crenshaw County after the death of his mother, the late Alfreda Stallworth, in 1987. He started out at Brantley School that same year as a teacher and a volunteer basketball and football coach under Coach Earl Henderson. From there, he became the head basketball coach for the Bulldogs from 1990 to 2006, with 306 wins and 139 losses and three state championships under his belt—1993, 1994, and 1995. Stallworth served the school as assistant principal for nine years, and principal for 2 and a half years.

He began as the Career Tech Director for the school system this summer.

“Without the players, there is no coach,” he said. “I want to thank all of my players through those years…It was a team effort—I didn’t score any baskets!”

“This shows appreciation from a community that is supportive and loving,” he stressed. “I’ll be forever indebted for it, and I’ll always be a Brantley Bulldog!”