Walker’s Hosts Eighth Annual Basketball Tournament

As the majority of the student body packed up and made their way back home for the winter break, Walker’s Varsity Basketball team hosted the Eighth Annual Holiday Basketball Tournament on December 20 and 21. Since the construction of the Centennial Center and its double basketball courts in 2016, Walker’s has hosted seven prep schools for two days of competition as schools begin their holiday vacation. This year, Walker’s was joined by Berkshire School, Canterbury School, Cheshire Academy, Millbrook School, Miss Porter’s School, Portsmouth Abbey School, and Westminster School. Each team played three games within 24 hours, and after day one, teams were moved into the winner’s or the consolation bracket.

Walker’s played Portsmouth Abbey on the first day of the tournament. Our team started off strongly, soundly winning its first game and earning a trip to the semifinals. Miss Porter’s, Canterbury, and Berkshire also won their first round games to move to the winner’s side of the bracket.  

On Saturday morning, Walker’s defeated Miss Porter’s. Walker’s played well from the start, jumping out to an early lead and building the margin as the game went on. Walker’s advanced to play a strong Berkshire team in the championship game.

“We got the match-up we wanted in the championship game,” said Head Coach John Monagan. “Playing games like this will only make us stronger as the year goes on. It was tough to feel like this game slipped away from us, but now we have to use it to propel us forward.”

Walker’s will hit the court again on Saturday, January 11 when they travel to Westminster in their first regular season game after break.