MOUNT VERNON — A year ago at this time, Utica High School senior Zack Walton was recovering from surgery to repair a collapsed lung that ended his junior season three-quarters of the way through. Still, his 278 points (18.5 average) were enough to win him the All-Area Player of the Year award.
This season, Walton made it an encore.
Walton led the Utica Redskins to a 19-3 record this year, leading the area in scoring with 18.5 points per game. For his accolades, he has been named the 2008 News All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Joining Walton on the All-Area First Team are Luke Branstool (East Knox), Ben Severns (Mount Vernon), Taylor Hitzfield (Fredericktown) and Skyler Simpson (Centerburg). Earning All-Area Second Team honors are Tyler Mowry (Loudonville), Justin Dassylva (Utica), Brandon Geiger (Highland), Brandt Lambert (Centerburg) and Kalen Tackett (Loudonville). The All-Area Third Team consists of Justin Howard (Highland), Chase Burke (Northridge), Amir Lindsey (Clear Fork), Riley Cannon (Johnstown) and Ryan Hathaway (Fredericktown).
A complete list of honorees as well as all Honorable Mention selections can be found in the scoreboard on Page 2B of March 11th's edition.
Watching Walton grow into the player he has become has Utica coach Mike DeLaney wishing he had him for another year. The four-year varsity player is in the first senior class to be under DeLaney for all four years, meaning the coach has had a unique perspective.
“The thing that surprises me the most about Zack is his ability to learn and adjust regardless of what it is that we are doing,” said DeLaney. “Whether it is basketball related or school related, he has an ability to understand concepts, which is pretty rare in people. He has the ability to take what you ask him to do and apply it in a game situation or a life situation. A lot of kids his age don’t take the coaching people give them and turn it into success, but he does.
“It comes from the fact that he is very intelligent, but he doesn’t view himself as being better than what he is. A lot of kids reach a point where they think they are better than the people that are trying to advise them. Zack hasn’t reached that point. He continues to learn and get better, both as a basketball player and as a person.”
Walton got off to a fast start this past season. Through five games this season, he had already scored 122 points for the Redskins, averaging just under 25 points per game. Part of the reason for his fast start, DeLaney believes, is due to his injury last season.
“I think it made him appreciate being an athlete and being in high school a little more,” said DeLaney. “He maybe doesn’t take as much for granted, and understands things aren’t guaranteed. You have to take advantage when things present themselves. I think that’s the biggest lesson he’s learned. His ability to apply what he’s learned made him take advantage of the time he had left. That was pretty important.
“It made him a better player, especially at the defensive end. He took more ownership of the team, and part of that is being a senior, but he also took things a little more seriously. He was much more intense.”
In addition to his 18.5 scoring average, Walton led the team in rebounds (8.0 per game) and blocks (1.5 per game). He was second on the team in steals (2.1 per game) and assists (3.1 per game).
“His ability to get himself into the game and not rush things is one of his strengths,” DeLaney said. “He knew he didn’t need to do everything right from the get-go. He worked himself in, and got involved in all parts of the game. Even this year, when teams took his offense away, he did other things to help make contributions. I think his understanding that the ultimate goal is to try and win the game is imperative. He is willing to do whatever to get that done.”
Even with everything he has accomplished, DeLaney believes Walton has only scratched the surface of his potential.
“I’ve told college coaches, I think he is a kid that is going to get better as he continues to play over the next three or four years,” said DeLaney. “No. 1, he will put some weight back on that he lost from the surgery. Once he gets serious about the weight room and begins to mature physically, he’ll be a force. There is really nothing on the basketball court that he can’t do.”
One thing is for sure — Walton’s presence at Utica won’t quickly be forgotten. He has been part of the Redskins’ turnaround under DeLaney.
“We went from eight to 14, 15 and 19 wins in the four years he’s been in school,” said DeLaney. “Our win total has increased every year. Last year, if he hadn’t gotten hurt, we would have won more games. That’s the thing about Zack. Our program has gotten better every year he’s been a part.”
In addition to Walton’s award, DeLaney picked up the nod for the All-Area Coach of the Year. The Redskins’ strong finish helped DeLaney to earn the award.
“Early on in the year, we struggled a little bit. Part of that was I think it took a little bit for us to deal with the expectations our community and those we had for ourselves,” said DeLaney. “Once we got past that, we really played up to our ability for the last 10 or 11 games of the year. That was exciting to see — how far our program’s come and how much improvement we showed.”
The turning point in Utica’s season might have come in a loss. Utica lost a close 61-59 decision to the Loudonville Redbirds on the road, their only conference loss of the season.
“I think our kids learned something, and it kind of woke us up a little bit,” DeLaney said. “We had an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter, but they made some shots to win the game. It made us realize that we have to take care of the little things if we want to be a great team.”
As much as the Redskins learned this season, DeLaney was also taught a lesson or two. This year’s senior class has helped him better understand his players better.
“They’ve taught me a lot,” said DeLaney, “in terms of how to deal with personalities and how to get the most out of them. Really, that’s our job as coaches. We have to do whatever we need to do to get each player to reach his potential. That’s our responsibility. I’ve come a long way in that respect.”
Walton and DeLaney will be honored prior to the start of the All-Star Senior Showcase boys game at 8 p.m. tonight.