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Ryan Burkey couldn't have walked into a better situation when he accepted the Walkersville High boys basketball head coaching position earlier this year.

With four of five starters returning from last season's 17-8 team, including University of New Hampshire commit Scott Morris, Burkley is poised to make a promising debut on the bench.

Burkey played at Linganore and has served as an assistant at Bishop Walsh in western Maryland, Urbana and Hood College. He is a graduate of Frostburg University and teaches physical education at Windsor Knolls Elementary.

"In terms of the transition from Coach [Bruce] Zimmerman to myself I believe it has gone pretty well and we tried to hit the ground running from the time I took over," Burkey said. "Coach Zimmerman, the players, the players parents, the administration, and the community have done a great job of welcoming me and my family into the community."

Morris, a 6-foot-2 guard was first team All-Gazette performer last season, averaging 18.6 points, 6.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game. Last month he committed to play for the Division I Wildcats who compete in the America East Conference.

Seniors guards Jeremy Musselman (6-1) and Brett Zimmerman (6-0) return to the starting lineup, as does Zeke Smith (6-3 forward-center). Classmates A.J. Meyer (5-7, point guard) and Christian Harris (6-0, forward) are experienced off the bench. Juniors James Hughes (6-4 center-forward), Orlando Rosa (5-5, point guard), and Ricky Pardo (5-9, guard) should also see action.

Walkersville girls have high expectations

With four returning starters from a season, the Walkersville High girls basketball team figures to be a player in the Class 2A West Region playoffs.

"Our goals right now are just to get better everyday in practice and to get our injured players back on the floor," head coach Mike Mathias said.

Junior guard Shernise Disney, a 5-6 first-team All-Gazette selection last season who averaged 11 points, 4.2 rebounds and two assists per game and senior forward Krysten Grossnickle (10.5 points and 8.6 board per outing) should lead the way for the Lions. Currently out with a knee injury, Grossnickle (5-9) should be back by January.

Seniors Karson Tuck (5-9, guard) and Jocelyn Martin (5-10, forward) also return to the starting lineup, while classmates Dani Meunier (5-9, forward), Julie Little (5-6, guard) and Sydnee Sichert (5-10, forward) will log a lot of minutes off the bench.

Promising newcomers include guards Dani Medovich, a 5-6 freshman, and 5-8 junior Britton Muir. Juniors Lauren Gottholm (5-6, guard) Julia Heslin (5-9,forward) and Erin Claro (5-9, junior) provide a lot of depth.