Walker sets new Wildcat scoring record
Photo courtesy of Licking R-8 Schools
Wildcat senior Karson Walker made Licking High School history on Saturday, breaking the all-time single-game scoring record previously held by the legendary Dale Stanley. Karson scored 54 points in the win over the Alton Comets; the previous record was 52 points in a single game.
By Coach Chris Harris
On Tuesday, January 6, the Wildcats hosted the Bears from Willow Spring in a Class 3 District 9 matchup.
The Cats fell a little short, losing 52-64, but the score doesn’t always show how well the team played. The Cats played hard on both ends of the floor and made the Bears work for their win.
“I was pleased with our defensive intensity and the focus they had during the game. We can learn from this and continue to get better.” ~ Coach Chris Harris
Karson Walker scored 19 points, Jason Ingram had 17 points and 8 rebounds, and Conway Adey added 16 points and 8 rebounds.
The JV Wildcats faced off against the Willow Springs Bear and won, 53-36.
After a slow start offensively in the first half, the Cats came alive in the second half, scoring 32 points. Their defense in the second half matched their offensive intensity and held the Bears to 17 points. Parker Huff scored 17 points, Trent Wood added 11, and Will Hackman had 8 in the win.
Thursday night’s game was another district opponent – the defending district Champs from last season, the Thayer Bobcats. The Cats fought back and came out on top, winning 58-56 in overtime.
The Cats had a slow offensive start and were down 12 after the first quarter, but following a 24-point second quarter, the Cats were only down four at the half. Adey had a great offensive second quarter, scoring 13 points, and the team was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the quarter.
The third quarter was a stalemate of 8 to 8; the defense really locked down the second half, especially in the late fourth quarter, forcing several turnovers and tough contested shots to force overtime. In overtime a huge and-1 from Jett Sullins and three big free throws from Walker secured the win.
“This game really showed the toughness that this team is capable of.” ~ Coach Harris
Walker scored 19 points, Adey had 17 points, Sullins added 12 points, and Ingram contributed 10 points and 6 rebounds.
The JV Wildcats faced Thayer and fell with a score of 26-37.
They played hard and battled to the end. Without a couple of players due to injuries, the Cats struggled with Thayer’s size in the paint, both offensively and defensively.
Huff had 12 points and Easton Stoops added 8.
On Friday the Wildcats traveled to Richland for a Frisco League contest, coming out on top 79-36.
From the start to the finish, the Cats controlled the game, scoring 23 points in the first quarter and never looking back. In the second, the Cats scored 23 again and only allowed 5 points on defense. The team really came together tonight, playing team defense and sharing the ball on offense. Everyone scored on offense and the guys were having a great time cheering on their teammates. This win brings the conference regular season record to 4-0.
Walker led the team with 18 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds, Ingram and Adey both scored 14 points with 4 and 7 rebounds respectively, and Logan Buckner added 10 points in the win.
The JV Wildcats overcame the Bears, winning 51-35.
After a tied first quarter the Cats took off, outscoring the Bears in the last three quarters. The defense created turnovers and grabbed key defensive rebounds, turning them into points and leading to the win.
Huff had 23 points and Keirum O’Daniel had 7 points off the bench.
On Saturday the Varsity Wildcats traveled to Liberty to face the Alton Comets in the Liberty Legends Shootout. The Cats, playing in their third game in three days, came out victorious 86-64.
It was a big day for Karson Walker, who broke the single game scoring record with 54 points, passing the great Dale Stanley who had 52 versus Newburg in January of 1968. Walker made 12 3’s in the game, scoring 31 points in the second half.
“At halftime Karson had 23 points and I wasn’t even thinking about the record, I was thinking about what adjustments that Alton was going to make to take Karson out of flow of the game,” said Coach Harris. “It wasn’t until about four minutes left in the game did I realize that he might have a shot at it. His teammates were very aware of it, and they continued to look for him, and he made the most of it.”
Walker hit 2 of 3 free throws late to tie the record. Alton went down and took a quick shot, and with just seconds left in the game, the ball found Walker’s hands and with a quick drive towards the basket and a little fadeaway shot that went in, Walker set the new school record. This was also the most points scored ever in Liberty’s gym.
Karson finished with 54 points; he was 12-16 from 3-point range, 6-18 from 2-point range and 6-8 from the free throw line.
The team’s record is now 10-6 and 4-0 in the conference.
