Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Skylar Walker, Box Elder basketball

In a tough 9C District, the Box Elder boy's basketball team is off to a strong start this year. Through four games, the Bears are off to a 3-1 start and a 2-0 start in conference play. However, senior player Skylar Walker believes the Bears have plenty of room to grow.

"We've been playing pretty good but we need to be about that killer instinct," Walker said. "We haven't been putting teams away like we should have."

As a senior on the team, Walker has been a part of the Bears basketball program for the past few seasons. He was on the last two Box Elder teams that came up short at the district tournament as they both lost in the consolation game to miss Northern C Divisionals. After those two tough losses, Walker and the Bears would not be happy to go through it again.

"It's been heartbreaking for sure. Definitely don't want that to happen this year," Walker said. "I don't think it will. I think we'll be in the championship game."

Basketball has been tied to Walker's heart from a young age. He started when he was about 2 years old thanks to his father. Ever since then, basketball has been Walker's greatest love.

Walker started playing football about two years ago for the Bears, but it has not been able to replace his love for the game of basketball. Even during the offseason, Walker is committed to basketball as he spends most of his free time working on his game.

"I literally just live in the gym. I love the gym," Walker said.

The work he puts in during the offseason has earned him playing time on the court for the Bears. As he gets to play the game he loves, he also gets to spend more time with his friends.

"I just love playing the game with my team," Walker said. "Just playing with the guys I love."

This will be Walker's final year with the Bears. Once it is over, he hopes to play basketball at the collegiate level somewhere. But for now, he will focus on helping the Bears go on a postseason run and get over the district hump.

The Box Elder boy's basketball team will head into its holiday break and will return with more games in January. Before Walker got back on the court this season, the Havre Daily News got to ask him five questions.

HDN: What is your role on the team?

Walker: "I think I'm the facilitator. I'm just the most unselfish player and I think I just make plays for other players."

HDN: What is your favorite basketball memory?

Walker: "Probably a half court shot against Harlem junior varsity. I had a game tying shot to force overtime. That was probably my favorite. That was February 14, about two years ago."

HDN: If you want to break through and finally make it to the Northern C Divisionals, what does your team need to do?

Walker: "We need to develop that killer instinct. We just need to put teams away better."

HDN: What have you learned from your time in the Box Elder basketball program?

Walker: "I've learned to work hard and show up every day on time. Just be there every day and work my tail off."

HDN: Who is your favorite basketball player?

Walker: "My favorite player of all time is Kobe Bryant and right now it's probably Steph Curry."