Talia Walton Leads Seattle Prep to District Title in First Year as Head Coach
Former UW star finds greater joy in coaching than playing career.
BELLEVUE, Wash. – As the celebration spilled onto the Bellevue College court after Seattle Prep’s 56-52 win over Lakeside in the district championship game, Talia Walton looked up, clasped her hands together, and said a prayer.
“I was just praising God,” said the former University of Washington star, now the Panthers’ head coach. “I’m just so thankful for His blessing, allowing me to be in this position, to coach these girls with this staff.”
Before meeting her team at center court, Walton took a brief, private moment of reflection.
“I just wanted to make sure He (God) was the first one I thanked when it was all said and done,” she said.
For the first-year head coach, the win was about more than securing Prep’s first district title since 2008. Seeing her players succeed meant more than anything she had accomplished as a player.
“This beats the Final Four for me,” said Walton, who helped lead the Huskies on an unforgettable NCAA Tournament run in 2016. “These girls have worked their butts off. They let me challenge them like no other, and I’m just so proud of them.”
From her very first team meeting with the Panthers, Walton set a high bar. She made it clear she wouldn’t lower it. It was up to the players to rise to the challenge as individuals and as teammates.
“Our practices have been progressing as we progress, getting harder and harder,” senior Grace Renners said. “It’s been amazing for us because it challenges us every day. We know what we’re going to see on the court, so we’re prepared for it.”
Walton is determined to push the Panthers like never before. She tested their resilience, and they responded.
“When you set them up for success every single day, this is what happens,” Walton said. “I’m just so proud of them. I can’t say that enough.”
From Rivals to Teammates
Saturday’s Seattle Prep-Lakeside matchup featured two current Metro League standouts who are both heading to Cornell next season. Renners will join Lakeside’s Willa Chinn at the Ivy League school. And, while they talk off the floor, the district title matchup was all business.
“It’s fun,” Renners said when asked about the matchup. “It’s good competition.”
On to State
Seattle Prep (20-7) has won its last five games and is the No. 5 seed heading into the Class 3A state tournament. The Panthers will open with Stanwood (20-4).