By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
 
MUSKEGON–Lauren Ross was the first female basketball player at Reeths-Puffer to score 1,000 points in girls’ basketball.
 
Now, you can add Sophia Hekkema and Ariel Walker to that list.
 
Sophia Hekkema reached that plateau back on Feb. 24 in a contest against Holland while Arial Walker reached that mark on March 1 against Kenowa Hills. Hekkema was a four-year varsity starter for the Rockets.
 
Hekkema, who has yet to make a decision on college, averaged 14 points per game this season. She also averaged 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.1 assists.

Photo courtesy of LSJ photographer Eric Sturr

 
Hekkema has been an all-OK Green selection 4 years and helped the Rockets capture three conference championships and one district title.  She also was named to the honorable mention all-state list, just to name a few of her accomplishments.  
 
“Sophia played AAU basketball 4 years,” said Reeths-Puffer coach Rodney Walker. “Sophia spent a lot of time in the off season getting stronger in the weight room and conditioning by playing other sports.  Sophia is a natural point guard that can play five positions on the floor. 
 
“Her ability to play inside and outside is a big reason for so much of her success as a player,” Walker said. “Sophia has played every minute in every game with the same speed and intensity for 4 years unless she was in foul trouble.  Sophia has always been the kind of leader that leads with her action on and off the floor.”
 
Her excellence also includes academics. She has a 3.86 grade-point-average.
 
“She has always understood the importance of balancing her time with sports and school,” Walker said.
 

Photo courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Lane II

 
Like Hekkema, Arial Walker was a four-year starter for Reeths-Puffer and has not yet selected which college she will attend next fall.
 
Walker has been selected to the all-OK Green team 4 years.  She has been instrumental in Reeths-Puffer winning three conference championships, a district title and was named to the honorable mention all-state list.
 
This past season Walker averaged 13 points per game along with 2.9 rebounds per game. She also had 1.5 steals per game and dished out 1.2 assists per game.
 
“Ariel has played AAU summer basketball for 4 years and continuously worked to improve her game every summer,” said Walker. “She stayed in the gym and worked out with Mertzie Klein at “I’m Possible Skills” training to help her accomplish her long-term and personal goals starting her freshman year to becoming a well-rounded player.  Ariel spent countless hours in the gym during the off seasons to improve her ability to shoot the ball and finish around the basket when no one was watching.”
  
Her ability to make 3-point shots are a benefit not only to her but her teammates. Her leadership skills also were demonstrated on and off the court. She, too, never came off the floor unless she got into foul trouble.
 
“Ariel Walker has been an excellent scholar athlete for 4 years of high school,” Walker said. “She has always understood that her gift will make a way for her.  School has always come first in the Walker household.  Ariel has done an excellent job of balancing her time to take care of her academic career as well.”
 
Ariel currently has a 3.30 grade-point-average at Reeths-Puffer.
  
With Hekkema and Walker hitting the 1,000 career points, it solidifies them as two of the best female basketball players that played at Reeths-Puffer.

Photo courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Lane II