4A State Tournament Contender: Walker Valley

PICTURED: Walker Valley team   Delve into the Walker Valley Mustangs (4A) of Region 3...a State Tournament Contender. They advanced to the State Tournament in 2009, 2016, and 2025.   Head Coach: Will Campbell (8th season at Walker Valley) Last Season's Record: 30-5 Last Season's Ending: Loss to Oak Ridge in State Quarterfinal March 20th, 2025   "We are playing well," said Walker Valley Head Coach Will Campbell. "We are 12-1*. Our one loss was to Hamilton Heights National team. I played six guys in that game because we had some injuries. We were up 5 in the fourth quarter but ended up losing it with poor free throws. I beefed up our schedule on purpose. We won 30 games last year and went to state. We brought back a lot of guys."   "Last year we relied upon the three-ball a lot more," said Coach Campbell. "This team we don't have to score like we did last year. Against Baylor we shot 28 free throws. Zach shot 16. Our guys can get into the paint. I think that has made us a lot better with this group. Just being able to score on multiple levels."   Key Players:   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wyatt Keeton / 2026 F</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [Wyatt Keeton] will miss six weeks with a scaphoid fracture. He started for us.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2351063' first='Turner' last='Clayton'] / 2026 G</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [[player_tooltip player_id='2351063' first='Turner' last='Clayton']] is our second leading scorer. He is averaging about 17 ppg a game. He usually guards the other team's best guard or maybe best player. He rebounds the ball well and runs point for us when Ashton [Davis] is out of the game. He is averaging about 4.6 rpg. He is 6'3". Super long. Athletic. He doesn't have any offers right now. A lot of interest. He has great height and athleticism.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2754640' first='Zach' last='Davis'] / 2027 G</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [[player_tooltip player_id='2754640' first='Zach' last='Davis']] is averaging about 21 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 2 spg. He has made a lot of strides defensively and with his strength. He guards team's best player or Turner does depending on the player's size. He is 6'1". I think he is probably the strongest kid in our program as far as across the board. He has also gotten more bouncy and is dunking in games. Last year he was not doing that really. He has big ole hands. That makes a big difference for him. If he stays on track to where he is now, for us he will be a 2,000-point scorer. The one thing that will keep him from going wherever he wants will be his height. I do think he will be a MM D1 player with his shiftiness.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2693640' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] / 2026 G</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [[player_tooltip player_id='2693640' first='Ashton' last='Davis']] is about 5'9". He is averaging about 4 apg. 3 rpg. For us, he just controls the pace so well and takes care of the basketball and allows Turner and Zach to operate off of the ball. He is pretty special with his footwork. His footwork is next level elite. If he decides he wants to play somewhere he could definitely play NAIA or D2 at some point. He is also a kid for us....he has been a three-year starter now. He is not afraid to take big shots in big moments. In that sectional game against LaVergne he went 7-7 in the second half. He shows up in the big moments.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cael Coates / 2026 G</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [Caleb Coates] was the first guy off of the bench, but now he is bumped up [with Wyatt out]. He played with all of these guys growing up. He is undersized, probably 6'0". Some padded shoes on, I guess. He is a great defender. Can guard post guys. We will put him on a 6'8" guy and he gives them hell. He is versatile for us.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='3338149' first='Isaac' last='Sausville'] / 2026 F</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [[player_tooltip player_id='3338149' first='Isaac' last='Sausville']] is a super hard-working kid, but his impact is a lot bigger than last year. He played last year in limited minutes. He is averaging like 11 ppg, 6 rpg. He is headsy, very smart IQ player. He can handle it. He inbounds the ball for us against any pressure, but he can also handle it. He is comfortable in the open court. He will play the "5" for us with Wyatt getting hurt. He is 6'3" but maybe 185. A solid guy. He is a threat from 3. Has some back-down game. He is a gym rat. A super hard worker. He decided around junior year that he wanted to play college basketball, so he devoted himself to his game.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caleb Ayers / 2027 G</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [Caleb Ayers] is a junior. He is probably 5'10". Really athletic kid. Plays football, as well. Gritty. Sneaky scorer. Can get hot from 3. Super-fast. A good little backup. Can run point if you need him too.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michael Wood / 2026 F</h2>   Head Coach Will Campbell: [Michael Wood] is a senior. He comes off of the bench. A football kid. Cornerback. Super athletic. High energy. Every once in a while, he will get a chip-in bucket.   Returners:   [player_tooltip player_id='2693640' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] [player_tooltip player_id='2754640' first='Zach' last='Davis'] [player_tooltip player_id='2351063' first='Turner' last='Clayton'] Cael Coates Michael Wood [player_tooltip player_id='3338149' first='Isaac' last='Sausville'] Davis Ensley Caleb Ayers Wyatt Keeton Grayson Evans Harrison Yost   Newcomers:   None.   Key Departures:   Landon Kirk (Graduated) Graham Campbell (Graduated) Tucker Campbell (Graduated) Zeke Garrison (Graduated) Coleman Green (Graduated) Eli Bain (Graduated)

PICTURED: Walker Valley team