Walton returns to Camden for hoops

Aaron Walton, an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey basketball selection, has returned to Camden for his senior year after briefly attending Life Center Academy in Florence Township.

According to Camden coach Mike Stargell, Walton is immediately eligible and has been practicing with the team.

"He never participated at Life Center," Stargell said yesterday. "He has been cleared to play for us by the NJSIAA."

Walton attended Life Center for about a month, according to Life Center first-year coach Wilson Arroyo.

"Aaron is a great kid, and we wish him the best, but things just didn't work out for him here," Arroyo said.

Life Center is a non-NJSIAA school that plays a high-caliber schedule. The Warriors are 2-1 this season, with the loss to national power Oak Hill Academy.

Walton, a 6-foot-2 swingman, led South Jersey in scoring last season with an average of 25.9 points per game.

With his return and a number of promising young players, Camden looks to be a serious contender in South Jersey Group 2.

During the summer, Walton and Daryus Quarles of Paulsboro transferred to Life Center. Quarles, a 6-6 junior, has stayed at Life Center and, according to Arroyo, is drawing strong recruiting interest.

"Florida, Kansas, you name it," Arroyo said. "He has been doing great here."