“In my nearly 40 years of coaching both high school and collegiately, I have not seen another young person exhibit more growth as a person and player. He has become an expert at dissecting opposing defenses. Though he is our primary ball-handler and the director of our offense, he normally draws a tough defensive assignment against one of our opponent’s top scorers. There is no one on our team whose role is more extensive or demanding.”

Ed Kohtala

Head Coach - head coach of Orono high

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot, 165-pound senior guard averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 assists this past season, leading the Red Riots (19-3) to the Class B state championship. Ranked as the Class of 2024’s No. 15 recruit in Maine by the New England Recruiting Report, Walston also averaged 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game. A two-time state champion, he was named the Class B state tournament MVP and was a semifinalist for Maine’s Mr. Basketball award.

Academic Achievement

Walston has maintained an A average in the classroom. Having already committed to joining the Air National Guard, he remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

Exemplary Character

Walston has volunteered locally with the Riot Buddies, a school program for high school upperclassmen to mentor middle schoolers, and has donated his time as a youth basketball coach.