Walsh nets All-America mention at Harper

Kevin Walsh (St. Viator) was named an All-American honorable mention after a standout season for the Harper men's basketball team. Walsh had been previously named a first team all-conference and all-region selection,

The freshman averaged 16.6 points a game for the Hawks last season. He shot 44.1 percent clip from 3-point range and ended the season leading the Hawks in 3-pointers made (83).

• Newly hired Harper men's basketball coach Justin Welke has added Mauricio Vaca and Wally Butman as assistant coaches.

Vaca has had six season of experience with Welke, as a top assistant as Roycemore in Evanston.

Welke says Vaca has, "high character, with a great basketball mind. I like how he's always studying."

Points of emphasis for Vaca wil be assembling offensive schemes and recruiting.

Meanwhile, Butman already has a history at Harper. He suited up for the team in the mid-70's.

"He's such a great guy," said Welke. "He's going to help us reach out to the alumni."

• After one season with the Hawks, guard Kevin Sexton, who carries a 3.4 GPA, will take his basketball and academic talents to Divsion II Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, where he will receive nearly a full scholarship and plans to major in sports management.

The Jets are members of the Heartland Conference. Walsh started his college basketball career at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., before spending last season with the Hawks.

Newman is no stranger to junior college transfers, as last season 7 of the 15 team members had played junior college basketball. NU finished 9-17 overall and 6-12 in conference play last season.

Sexton, a Prospect High School grad, is looking forward to a chance to thrive in Newman's uptempo offense. With five seniors from last season having moved on, opportunity is knocking.

"The style of play fits me perfectly," Sexton said.