By Nate Thompson
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON  – When it was all said and done, brand new Muskegon Big Red Jarvis Walker didn’t realize he poured in a team-high 21 points on Tuesday at Raymond-Potter Gymnasium.
As he said, he was too lost in the moment.
Walker, eligible to play for the first time this season after transferring from rival Mona Shores, said the butterflies were fluttering in his stomach prior to the opening tip.
But there was no reason for the early nerves, because it was smooth sailing for Walker and the rest of the Big Reds throughout their 79-49 victory over Shores in O-K Black Conference action on their home court.

Jarvis Walker II winds up to make the pass past Mona Shores’ DaVarius Carter. Photo/Jason Goorman


The butterflies went away for Walker in the opening minute of the game, when he took a hard foul. Despite missing the first 10 games of the season, and playing his first game against his former team, he suddenly realized that his moment had arrived, and it was time to produce.
“That was a definite wake-up call,” Walker said about the foul. “After that it was like, ‘Yeah, the game is here. Let’s go, let’s go.
“It wasn’t difficult (playing Mona Shores) because I had my brothers with me and they’ve supported me all week, really all season. It just felt good being out there.”
Mona Shores hung tough for a quarter, trailing 17-10 at the first buzzer, but the Big Reds applied some full-court pressure late in the second and the Sailors’ turnovers became a crippling issue. Mona Shores had 13 turnovers in the first half alone, helping the Big Reds take a decisive 42-18 lead into the break.
Muskegon coach Keith Guy said he liked what both Walker and fellow transfer Jordan Porter brought to the floor. Porter, a 6-foot-4 junior who previously attended Muskegon Catholic Central, had four points and three rebounds off the bench, and battled tough in the paint defensively.

Vernon Nash III brings the ball up the court for Muskegon. Photo/Jason Goorman


“Jarvis was great,” said Guy, whose team is now 7-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play. “He’s another ball-handler and scorer out there for us. We called the first couple of plays for him and he made the right reads. He’s a guy with a high basketball IQ.
“Jordan showed some glimpses of what he can do,” Guy added. “For a big guy, he can move. With him and Billie (Roberts), those are two big guys down low for us.”
Walker’s ability to drive and score off the dribble opened up outside looks for Big Reds like Vern Nash, who connected on three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points along with three assists and four steals.
Muskegon finished with seven triples in the contest.
“Offensively, it opens things up for anyone,” Walker said. “We’ve got so many weapons and we’re able to space the floor and create.”
Muskegon had a 59-39 lead after three quarters and their reserves kept a foot on the gas in the fourth, including guard Lamar Lee, who scored eight points.
Senior guard James Gilbert scored 21 points for the Sailors, including a half-court swish at the third-quarter buzzer.
The Sailors fell to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in league play.