Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Kingman coach ready for basketball rivalry with brother

January 6, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365

"=""> Since he was hired as boys basketball coach at Kingman High after last season, Dirk Walker knew the day would come.
"=""> Now it is here.
"=""> Walker will get the chance for his team to face the defending Class 5A Division II state champions from Anthem Boulder Creek, coached by his older brother, Randy. The Northwest Region rivals also will play on Jan. 25 at Boulder Creek.
"=""> Dirk Walker said his players have been aware of the connection since both schools played in the same summer-league tournament in the east Valley.
"=""> He came to Kingman after six years at Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, the last three as head coach. He also played at Cactus Shadows where his brother was head coach. Dirk Walker went on to play at Simpson College in Iowa.
"=""> Randy Walker later was head coach at Phoenix Horizon and was a graduate assistant at Northwestern State (La.) for a season before taking the Boulder Creek job.
"=""> “I’m sure neither of us is looking forward to trying to beat the other, although when the ball is tipped, it will be pretty much a normal game,’’ Dirk Walker said.