By Austin Wald

Sports Editor

 

This week I spoke with varsity basketball captain A.J. Walker. Walker is a four year varsity starter and is leading the team in points, averaging 19.7 points per game so far this season. 

 

Austin Wald: Being on varsity all four years, you have the most experience out of anyone on the team besides Zach Ortwerth. How is all of that experience helping you step up as a leader?

 

A.J. Walker:  I think all the experience is helping me a lot. Like in practice, I'm leading the drills, I'm showing everybody how hard they should be going and things like that. On the court, the ball is mostly in my hands so I'm making the right decisions and basically just being a leader on the floor for the team that way.

 

AW: The MCC looks a lot different from last year with a lot of dominant guys from SLUH and other schools graduating and players like Jon Bol transferring out of the MCC. After coming close to beating CBC, how do you think you’re going to put up against other MCC schools this season?

 

AJ: I think the MCC is gonna be a lot of fun. I think we got a really good chance to win the MCC this year. We took a tough loss to CBC but we're definitely going to get them back at their place. So yeah, this year I think we're going to do very well.

 

AW: Any plans on playing basketball in college?

 

AJ: Yes, I do. I got an offer from a Juco, Jefferson College, and I'm talking to another Juco, New Mexico, but nothing major yet. Still looking. We're going to have a good season this year. So hopefully I should get some calls after the season.

 

AW: What do you want to study?

 

AJ: Sports management, I want to stay in sports.

 

AW: Last question, are you scared of Symon Dhak (the 7-foot-3 center from Vianney)?

 

AJ: I am not scared of him. I'm actually going to try and dunk on him in the game. So yeah, stay tuned.

 

AW: Can’t wait.