Ethel Walker School
The Middle School basketball program encourages participation for each player, and with that participation comes the growth of a competitive spirit and a joy in playing the game of basketball.
Student athletes on the Middle School basketball team are taught to learn and love the game. Our students from grades six through eight spend their practice time understanding the fundamentals of defense, the proper way to run offensive plays, and the skill sets (dribbling, passing, shooting) that will allow them to become better players in the future. Our Middle School team plays an interscholastic schedule of games against area schools.
Walker’s basketball program is a member school of the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Basketball, which provides the rules and regulations for high school basketball teams to prepare students for parallel rules in the NCAA. Walker’s basketball is also a part of the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC). Walker’s is a Class C division competitor, and also competes in the prestigious Founders League. League competitors include Choate, Taft, Hotchkiss, Loomis, Westminster, Kent, Kingswood Oxford, and Miss Porter’s.
Head Coach
Coach McWilliams joined the coaching staff for the 2021-2022 season. Prior to working at Walker’s, Coach McWilliams has coached basketball for various schools and organizations for over 20 years and at various levels (1st grade through 12th grade). At Walker’s, she serves as the CFOO.
Assistant Coach
Mimi Duran has 30 years of coaching experience in independent and public schools and holds a Connecticut Coaching Certification. She has coached, organized, and led town basketball leagues and tournaments. She began coaching middle school basketball in the winter of 2008-2009. Since then the team has found much success which includes three undefeated seasons, winning the Mooreland Hill Basketball Tournament, and receiving the Sportsmanship Award at the same tournament, as voted by coaches participating in the tournament.
Coach Duran believes that participation and skill-building are the keys to a successful middle school team. Emphasis is given to facilitating team relationships, which is the foundation for a social and emotional learning environment. The athletes learn to appreciate teamwork and understand that hard work and perseverance lead to success. The players learn how to work with coaches and to respect referees, opponents, peers, and themselves.
Coach Duran is also Varsity Field Hockey Coach and Associate Athletic Director. She holds a Master’s degree in Professional Sports Management from Georgetown University.
Founders League
thefoundersleague.orgNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
NCAA.orgNew England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC)
NEPSAC.orgNational Federation of High Schools (NFHS)
NFHS.org