Few underclassmen carry themselves with the poise and purpose of Lane Walther. A 5’11” sophomore at Miami High School, Walther is already eyeing his place in the school’s basketball history books. “I want my legacy to be one of the best players to ever come through Miami,” he said. “That’s the goal I have in mind every time I step on the court.”
He’s not just dreaming big—he’s backing it up with clear benchmarks and hard work. “Some of my personal goals are to get on the 1st team all-conference and to hit 1,000 career points,” Walther said. It’s something he’s been working toward since he got to high school.
This offseason presented a few hurdles, but Walther believes the team is better because of it. “This offseason was challenging, we had some injuries, but overall, we have worked harder and are much more focused,” he said.
That focus is evident in the way the team operates both on and off the floor. “Nobody is selfish, and everyone understands their role on the team,” Walther said. “We know what we’re good at, and we trust each other to do our jobs.”
There’s one goal that stands above the rest for Walther and his teammates. “Some of the main goals this year are to win the conference and make the state tournament—something only two other Miami teams have ever done,” he said.
Walther’s versatility makes him a key piece in that effort. “I play shooting guard and point guard,” he said. “I look for how the defense is playing—zone or man—and then how they’re guarding the inside. Are they crashing? Are they staying out? Things like that.”
He approaches every game with intensity and purpose. “I approach every game with the same mentality: to win,” Walther said. “My mindset is to kill and win no matter what.”
Beyond the scoreboard, Walther believes this group is special because of their bond. “Something people may not know about this team is that we all care about each other, and all truly get along,” he said.
His favorite memory so far? “Beating Grove my freshman year at home last year—I had 20 and it was a great win with a lot of people there,” he said.
With “Enter Sandman” setting the tone, Lane Walther is just getting started.
