Suffolk native Franklin Chatman was selected United States Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year.

The Stratford University men’s basketball team is a couple of weeks removed from its best season yet. Chatman coached Stratford to a 19-5 record and helped the team achieve a USCAA national tournament berth.

At the tip-off banquet, Chatman was selected the USCAA Division I Coach of the Year. Jamonte Ricks, a former Lakeland High School standout, was also honored at the banquet as he was selected a USCAA third team All-American. He averaged 11.5 points per game and eight rebounds per game.

Chatman previously coached at Nansemond River High School. He began coaching there during the 1999-2000 season and spent five years there. At Nansemond River, he was a two-time Southeastern District Coach of the Year winner and All-Region Coach of the Year. He then spent a couple of seasons coaching at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy before being hired at the Apprentice School.

Stratford ended up losing its opening round game with Bluefield State College.