WADSWORTH — As usual, Jodi Johnson was the final starter announced Saturday before the Wadsworth girls basketball team played Solon in a highly anticipated game.
The All-Ohioan continued to follow her routine, sprinting across center court and toward superfan Zane Walker’s custom-embroidered red chair on the first row of bleachers. Johnson then mimicked a double fist-bump and readied for the opening tipoff.
Walker, who many associated with the Grizzlies’ program affectionately called “Coach Walker,” died on Feb. 7 at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer. Johnson wasn’t about to deny his spirit the chance to interact with one of his favorite players once more.
Saturday was the first Wadsworth home game without Walker, and the Grizzlies had arguably their best showing of the season en route to crushing defending Division I state semifinalist Solon 68-46.
The result was never in doubt.
“Definitely, this one was for Zane,” Johnson said while fighting back tears. “I know he would be more than happy to celebrate this with us. He’d be very proud of us, and I know he is right now.”
Before the game, Wadsworth principal Steve Moore gave a speech about what Walker meant to the community and especially the girls basketball players. A moment of silence was followed by a warm ovation for the well-known man who had a well-earned reputation for busting chops, but also for a heart of gold.
Johnson, who with help from Sophia Fortner and Meggie Flanigan will write a eulogy for Walker’s memorial at The Chapel at Wadsworth on Tuesday, acknowledged the underlying motivation for playing so well against a top-notch opponent came from their buddy.
“It’s obviously something big for us,” Johnson said. “His loss, it’s upsetting, but we know he’s going to be with us.
“Ever since he’s been in the hospital, we’ve been going over there touching his chair. His son (Stephen) actually came when he was in the hospital, and we would fist bump him as well. That was pretty cool.”
A Pennsylvania native but longtime Northeast Ohio railroad man, Walker could be seen around town volunteering for the Boy Scouts, Wadsworth Hunt Club, Soap Box Derby and Sunday school for more than 30 years.
Walker also became attached to Wadsworth athletics, volunteering to sell 50/50 tickets at football games, among other things. His true passion, however, was cheering on the decorated girls basketball program led by coach Andrew Booth, including one year helping wife Elaine make red and white scarves for all the players.
Booth remembers meeting Walker for the first time at a football game in 2005. Always one who could leave a memorable first impression, Walker told girls basketball players Cassie Schrock, Jen Uhl and Alli Macko, who were standing next to Booth, “If he loses more than one game this year, he should be fired.” Walker then walked away.
Booth didn’t know how to react at the time — the Grizzlies lost four times but reached the state semifinals that season — yet he soon became close with Walker.
“Obviously he had that sense of humor, which I didn’t know well enough at the time,” Booth recalled fondly. “He just was a genuine guy. He’d tell you something he thought would be helpful, but he’d also be very encouraging not only with the coaches, but the kids.”
Walker became more involved with the program even as his health declined, attending everything from summer league games to “90 percent” of practices. He always sat center court at home games with a notepad to track statistics while wearing a red and white T-Shirt with “Andy’s assistant” embroidered across the breast. Whenever he was admitted to the hospital, some of the first people to visit him were Wadsworth players.
Walker’s last home game was Jan. 27 against Twinsburg, and the Grizzlies pulled out a close victory. When Johnson, Lexi Lance, Laurel Palitto, Fortner and Jenna Johnson were announced as starters, they each ran across the court and gave the appreciative Walker their team towel as a tribute.
Walker will always have a place in their hearts.
“He was a big part of our lives,” Johnson said. “He’s definitely been around here for a long time. He was just an awesome guy.”
The family has established a GoFundMe website in Walker’s memory, with donations to help his wife pay medical bills. Any remaining money will be donated to the Wadsworth Hunt Club youth program.
