Walker’s a Big Hit on Record Charts

Before the season, there was little doubt that Keith Walker would score bundles of points for Brea-Olinda High School’s basketball team.

He had done it last year as a junior, averaging about 27 points a game as the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southern Section playoffs. Brea Coach Rick Jones structured an offense to take advantage of Walker’s abilities. “He’s allowed to do just about anything he wants,” Jones said.

So it should come as no surprise that Walker has started breaking scoring records.

During successive games in the Ocean View Tournament of Champions last week, Walker, the Times’ Athlete of the Week, scored 38, 39, 50 and 35 points, a 162-point total, breaking the tournament scoring record of 132 set last year by Scott McCorkle of Capistrano Valley.

His 50 points were in an 84-70 victory over Loyola, which had been ranked ninth in the nation by USA Today. In doing so, he broke the tournament record of 48 set in 1983 by Tom Lewis of Mater Dei and the school record of 46 held by Walker’s brother, Kevin, now a senior at UCLA.

Walker, who is averaging about 37 points and 13 rebounds, has helped Brea to a 6-3 start, losing only to Lynwood in semifinals of the Laguna Beach tournament and to Long Beach Poly and Morningside in the Tournament of Champions.

Walker’s totals are coming against defenses designed to deny him a shot. Walker, who made 47% of his shots from the field last season, made only 12 of 27 shots against Loyola but hit 17 of 19 free throws.

When his shots aren’t falling from outside, Walker has been driving inside. He gained 15 pounds since last season, and the extra weight has given him more power and confidence near the basket.

Walker said playing against strong competition in summer leagues and basketball camps also has helped his performance.

Jones said Walker has improved his ballhandling. His drives are more controlled, and, as a result, he is called for fewer charging fouls.

Walker’s early performances and the Wildcats’ success against Los Angeles County schools have Jones excited about the season.

And Walker, who has signed a letter of intent with California, has yet to get hot.

“If he puts the two halves together, he is going to score a whole ton,” Jones said.

TOP PERFORMERS

Daryl Cole of Orange Lutheran scored 85 points in four games of the Irvine World News tournament. Cole scored 17 points and had 11 rebounds as Orange Lutheran lost to Savanna, 62-53, in the consolation finals Saturday.

Cherokee Parks of Marina scored 78 points and had 44 rebounds and 20 blocked shots in four Irvine World News games. Parks scored 20 in a 50-44 loss to Edison in the third-place game Saturday.

John Molle of Irvine scored a school-record 40 points despite playing in only three quarters of an 81-36 victory over Long Beach Wilson in first round of the Irvine World News Tournament Dec. 11. He scored 25 the next night in a 58-49 loss to Canyon Springs, but twisted his ankle in practice Wednesday and missed Irvine’s last two tournament games.

Keith Walker

Brea-Olinda High School

* Position: Forward

* Height, Weight, Class: 6-5, 180, Senior.

* Last Week: Walker scored a record 162 points in four games of the Ocean View Tournament of Champions, including a school and tournament record 50 points in an 84-70 victory over Loyola Friday.

* Season: Walker is averaging 37 points and 13 rebounds.