I really don't recall this much talent signing with the Cowboys...ever. I know that's been hashed about but this class is nothing but "WOW". Lets hope they all pan out.
OSU signee Walker led in the clutch
By Cameron Jourdan
Rondel Walker didn’t get frustrated.
Putnam West’s boys basketball team was facing multiple nationally ranked opponents during its earlyseason schedule, but Walker, who is one of the nation's top recruits in the 2020 class, was seemingly a lone wolf.
Most of his Putnam West teammates who were primed to be starters or key role players were hurt. Players with little to no varsity experience filled those spots.
Yet Walker didn’t panic. He grew.
He helped Putnam West recover from a 3-8 start to make the Class 6A state tournament at 16-11, its eighth consecutive trip to state. Walker became more dominant, breaking records and dominating in every gym he stepped into.
He’s The Oklahoman’s 2020 Big All-City Player of the Year.
“In summer ball, if I struggled, somebody else would pick up the slack,” Walker said. “But early on, if I did, the team did. I had to get my mind off of every time I have a bad game, we lose. I knew we just had to go out there and win.”
Walker didn’t have many bad games, even when the team was struggling.
He dominated on both ends of the floor each night. Walker averaged 25.8 points per game while collecting 4.1 steals on the defensive end. His stout defense led to incredible offensive abilities. He could guard any position and his versatility helped the Patriots win big games.
Yet Walker, an Oklahoma State signee, adjusted to handling the load because of how he dealt with the adversity early on.
“He was playing out of position on both sides of the ball,” Putnam West coach Lenny Bert said. “It was difficult for him to catch a groove playing so many different roles.”
Yet Walker was able to find his niche.
Putnam West won 10 of its 11 games after Christmas break before falling in overtime against Lawton to conclude the regular season. The Patriots then went 4-1 in the playoffs, falling by two against Midwest City in the area final before coming from behind to top Edmond North in the area consolation finals.
Walker spearheaded the resurgence. He was playing arguably the best basketball of his career heading into the Class 6A state tournament, where Putnam West was set to face top-ranked Tulsa Booker T. Washington before the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s possible Putnam West wouldn’t have been in the state tournament without Walker and how he handled the early adversity. Because of that, he proved he was one of the top players in not only the state, but the country.
“When teams go on a slide, which he has never done in his career, you start questioning yourself and whether we’re doing the right thing,” Bert said. “I just leaned on him. I told him it was his team without telling him that. He just took over.”
OSU signee Walker led in the clutch
By Cameron Jourdan
Rondel Walker didn’t get frustrated.
Putnam West’s boys basketball team was facing multiple nationally ranked opponents during its earlyseason schedule, but Walker, who is one of the nation's top recruits in the 2020 class, was seemingly a lone wolf.
Most of his Putnam West teammates who were primed to be starters or key role players were hurt. Players with little to no varsity experience filled those spots.
Yet Walker didn’t panic. He grew.
He helped Putnam West recover from a 3-8 start to make the Class 6A state tournament at 16-11, its eighth consecutive trip to state. Walker became more dominant, breaking records and dominating in every gym he stepped into.
He’s The Oklahoman’s 2020 Big All-City Player of the Year.
“In summer ball, if I struggled, somebody else would pick up the slack,” Walker said. “But early on, if I did, the team did. I had to get my mind off of every time I have a bad game, we lose. I knew we just had to go out there and win.”
Walker didn’t have many bad games, even when the team was struggling.
He dominated on both ends of the floor each night. Walker averaged 25.8 points per game while collecting 4.1 steals on the defensive end. His stout defense led to incredible offensive abilities. He could guard any position and his versatility helped the Patriots win big games.
Yet Walker, an Oklahoma State signee, adjusted to handling the load because of how he dealt with the adversity early on.
“He was playing out of position on both sides of the ball,” Putnam West coach Lenny Bert said. “It was difficult for him to catch a groove playing so many different roles.”
Yet Walker was able to find his niche.
Putnam West won 10 of its 11 games after Christmas break before falling in overtime against Lawton to conclude the regular season. The Patriots then went 4-1 in the playoffs, falling by two against Midwest City in the area final before coming from behind to top Edmond North in the area consolation finals.
Walker spearheaded the resurgence. He was playing arguably the best basketball of his career heading into the Class 6A state tournament, where Putnam West was set to face top-ranked Tulsa Booker T. Washington before the tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s possible Putnam West wouldn’t have been in the state tournament without Walker and how he handled the early adversity. Because of that, he proved he was one of the top players in not only the state, but the country.
“When teams go on a slide, which he has never done in his career, you start questioning yourself and whether we’re doing the right thing,” Bert said. “I just leaned on him. I told him it was his team without telling him that. He just took over.”
