Cameron Harrop-Wilson was a big key to TCA’s success this season (Photo by Josh Verlin/COBL).
By Joseph Santoliquito
RJ Walker was fighting it a little bit. His lower lip didn’t quiver, his eyes did become teary, but as he stood outside the locker room on Friday night, he knew the wave of emotion that was about to hit him when he faced his team.
Walker, the 27-year-old coach of The Christian Academy, just saw the end of a remarkable season moments before, when his Crusaders lost to District 3 No. 4-seed Lancaster Country Day School, 54-47, in overtime in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 1A state playoffs.
It ended a season in which the Crusaders’ program made the state playoffs for only the second time in school history and for the first time in school history won a state playoff game, reaching the state quarterfinals.
So, Walker, who did an amazing job in just his second year as head coach, had to take a breath before entering the locker room and addressing his team.