APRIL 28, 2023 – Lyons High School senior John "JC" Walker has been named the 2023 New York State Sportswriters Association Boys Basketball Class C Player of the Year.
Walker, an upcoming Lyons Class of 2023 graduate, ended his senior campaign by scoring a season-high 43 points during a win at Geneva. In addition to being named NYSSWA Class C Player of the Year, Walker has received numerous accolades this season, including Wayne County Player of the Year and 2023 All-Greater Rochester Boys Basketball Team honors.
Walker also earned the title of Section V Class C3 Tournament MVP, leading the 2023 Lyons Lions to the Class C3 Sectional title. In March, he was also selected to play in the 2023 Greater Rochester Ronald McDonald House High School All-Star Basketball Games.
"JC is one of the best young men I have been lucky enough to coach," said Lyons Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Dean Schott. "He gave me all he had every single day – in-season or out – for 4 years. He not only always respected me and his teammates and the game we all love, but he played it at the highest level."
Walker’s per-game averages this season include 26 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks.
When asked about the NYSSWA honors, Walker said he felt both humbled by and grateful for the Player of the Year title, adding that the support he’s received over his Lyons basketball career has been invaluable: "I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, family, community and staff at the school for all the support during my years at Lyons."
Schott says that Walker’s legacy as a role model and student-athlete in Lyons is unwavering: "JC will always be one of, if not the best player in Lyons history."
The NYSSWA covers high school sports, producing rankings and selecting all-star teams throughout the year. Walker’s teammate and fellow senior Jacob Sides was named a NYSSWA All-State Team Honorable Mention.