Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
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Monday, March 8, 2010
CJ’s Walker, Jefferson’s Payne named district players of the year
Two players considered the top recruits in boys and girls area basketball this season have also been named their divisions’ Southwest District players of the year.
Chaminade Julienne senior Samarie Walker (Division II), a University of Connecticut recruit, and Jefferson senior Adreian Payne (D-IV), a Michigan State recruit, were given the honors on Monday, March 8, as the all-district teams were released.
Walker, a 6-1 forward, improved through the season as she adjusted to a partially torn meniscus in her knee and coach Duane Williams changed the Eagles’ style from outside first to inside first. Using Walker more in the post, Williams directed her skills closer to the basket, and CJ has responded with a run to a Tuesday regional semifinal game against Columbus St. Francis DeSales.
Payne, a 6-10 center, has been one of the area’s most notable players for several seasons, somewhat of an anomaly at his size in D-IV. Jefferson has been careful in returning Payne from a shoulder injury suffered in a major win against Dunbar late in the regular season, but he’s a key figure in the Broncos’ chances of making a run to Columbus. They play in a district final against Lehman Catholic at 7:15 p.m. Friday at UD Arena.
Tim Cogan, the Fairmont girls coach who has led the Firebirds into a D-I regional semifinal against Princeton on Tuesday at the Nutter Center, was named the D-I district coach of the year.
