Dave Walker's retirement this week as the long-time girls basketball coach at
Naples (Fla.) was especially timely, because a few hours later he learned that he had made the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
The 64-year-old Walker guided the Naples girls to a 611-282 record in 33 years.
Walker told the Naples News, "A friend told me once that you just know when it's time to go. I have no problems with the administration. I have no health problems. I just felt like this was a good time to end it.It's been more than exciting wins and heartbreaking losses ... I've been very honored to work with a lot of good people over the years. A majority of my good friends are related to coaching in one way or another."
Athletic director Ernie Modugno said, "Dave is respected for his knowledge of the game and the great job he does. developing talent. The thing a lot of people don't know is how important a person he is to his players' lives. For some he was a surrogate father."
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Hannah Eichler celebrated her 18th birthday by drilling four straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to give
Grafton (Wis.) a 44-41 victory over Whitefish Bay (Wis.). She finished with 16 points.
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Demetrius Jackson, who is drawing strong Division I interest, scored a school-record 42 points on Friday as
Marian (Mishawaka, Ind.) routed Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.) 91-61. Jackson shot 14-for-24 from the field and 11-for-14 from the free throw line and had several spectacular dunks.