2008 Woodie Awards
The choice of a lifetime: basketball over football
Early on Chris Walker had to make a choice in high school and it was the right one; he's now the star point guard for the Delta Mustangs
Filippo Goodman
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: Sports
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"It was a tough decision at the time, but I'd like to think that I made the right choice," said Walker.
He probably wouldn't be alone in that opinion. After all, being a star point guard is all about making the right decision.
If Walker had chosen a different route on that motherly created intersection, perhaps Gary Barlow would be reaping the benefits from Walker's ability and not head basketball coach Brian Katz.
As things currently stand Walker is the starting point guard for the Mustangs, manning a 28-1 ship that sees destiny on the horizon in the form of a state championship.
"We take every game at a time, but we really feel confident about our chances to compete for a state championship and ultimately win it," said Walker.
Walker oozes an unaffected quiet confidence which has translated onto the basketball court. Part of the job description of a point guard is to assume the role as a leader, and in many ways become an on-the-court extension of the head coach. Talent is one thing, but grasping the intangibles leads to swelling in the win column.
"Every decision he makes has a team-first goal," said Katz. Not only is he a great player, but he does the little things that often don't show up in the box score. He is exceptional when it comes to understanding the team concept."
A league championship, and a second seed in the Northern California playoffs was probably the furthest thing from the Mustangs' mind after Diablo Valley provided a reality check, when they beat the Mustangs in the first game of the season. A loss like that could have easily sent the season spiraling- the Mustangs' resolve and Walker's leadership was given an early season pop quiz.