CENTRE – Kori Walker is familiar with the Cherokee County area.

The 27-year-old Gadsden native has officiated several sporting events in the area the past couple of years. The one thing he’s noticed is the talent the Warriors have.

Instead of looking at that talent from afar, Walker now has the opportunity to help it develop.

Walker was officially hired on Tuesday to replace Shane Reid as the new Warrior boys basketball coach. Reid resigned from his duties following last season.

Walker said he’s privileged to coach the Warriors, and is ready to hit the ground running.

"When this position became available, I felt like it was a good fit for me, my style of play and my philosophy," he said. "There’s ton of athletes up here. I’m anxious to get started, and I know the kids are.

"I spoke with a few of them, and they seem to be a great group of guys. Every one of them I spoke with on the phone was ‘Yes sir, no sir.’ I’m really anxious to know all of them."

Walker and the Warriors get their first taste of action together at a Gadsden State basketball camp later next week.

Walker is a graduate of Lawson State Community College, where he played two years of junior college basketball. He finished up at Jacksonville State in 2004 and earned a degree in physical education.

Walker began his coaching career at Gadsden Middle School, where he compiled a 106-37 record as head coach. His seventh grade team went undefeated last season (26-0).

Walker has also been assistant on the Gadsden City High varsity boys program under head coach Reginald Huff. He also played basketball at Gadsden High School before it consolidated under head coach Jerry Frazier, and was a teammate on the baseball team with current Warrior baseball coach Jim Garmany.

Walker said he first heard about the Warriors’ basketball vacancy from Garmany.

"He told me the basketball position was going to be available and that piqued my interest," Walker said. "That got the ball rolling.

"I did my research. They only lost two seniors last year. I feel like the program is still on the up and it’s going to be for years. I’m in a situation right now to be successful without having to come in and rebuild a program. I felt like that was a big plus in making my decision to come to Cherokee County."

Cherokee County High School Principal Doug Davis said he’s glad the school was able to find someone of Walker’s caliber.

"He comes very highly recommended," Davis said. "He’s an outstanding, well-spoken young man. I’ve been very pleased with the manners in his interviews. He met with a group of the players’ parents this past week. They were very impressed with him, and that sort of swayed my decision to him.

"I think we’ve got a top-notch guy, both academically and athletically. He brings a good past of basketball knowledge with him. He already knows a lot of the people from up here. He already has some connections. We look forward to having him."

In addition to coaching basketball, Walker will also teach math at the school. He’ll also assist with football and any other sports as needed.

Walker and his wife Charleena have a 9-year-old daughter, Ashley, and a 6-month-old son, Brayden.

"I think he will fit greatly into the program," Davis said. "He’s a hard worker. He made great strides with the program at Gadsden City while he was there, and he wants this program to succeed."