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DEL.ICIO.US‘Good guys reap rewards’ with Wilson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
His team is 17-3, but Carter Wilson refuses to get giddy. The Decatur boys basketball coach has been around long enough to know that his players adopt his disposition, so he remains as determined as ever in the hope that his team continues to build on a pretty special season.
Decatur surprised many last season by advancing to the state tournament quarterfinals. And once again, the Bulldogs have produced a team that has the ability to make a strong postseason run. This is a surprise to Wilson.
A reshuffling put Decatur in a region with Wesleyan, Buford and Greater Atlanta Christian, among others, forcing Wilson to expect a difficult season for the Bulldogs. Instead, Wilson has gotten his team to mesh and perform at a level that makes it a viable title contender.
“It’s very rewarding for two reasons,” Wilson said. “One, because of the record. But two, because this team has the best chemistry of any team I’ve coached. So to see them get the payoff is great. It’s good to see the good guys reap the rewards.”
There are more rewards to be had, which is why Wilson remains steadfast in the prodding of his team.
“Really, I tell my team all the time we have not scratched the surface of what we can become,” he said. “We’re winning, but we haven’t reached our potential. And that’s what keeps me going — keeps us going.”
Wilson and his staff mixed in five newcomers with eight returning players in a way that has been seamless. The new players came up from junior varsity, having practiced with the varsity much of last season.
“We’ve mixed and matched in a way that makes sense to us and to the kids,” Wilson said.
Now, Decatur can function under the duress of close games. Last year, the Bulldogs had difficulties winning in the final moments.
This season, in the crucial, tight moments, Decatur has been tougher.
“I don’t know if it’s maturity or not,” Wilson said. “But we have closed games much better. We’ve made plays that we just didn’t make last year.”
And a team that functions well in the waning moments stands a good chance of being formidable come tournament time, especially when it has the senior leadership. Decatur has Jerron Stone.
Stone was Decatur’s most dynamic player last season, according to Wilson, but he came off the bench because he had trouble with consistency. Now, Stone is rock solid.
“He’s matured a lot on the court,” Wilson said. “He believes he can score, and he’s going out and making the plays. And the way we play, he’s got to score.”
Stone, Sam Shew, Danny Cortase, Josh Collington and David Hooten are the Bulldogs’ seniors who will play tonight on the program’s “Senior Night.” And they should do so with their chests expanded, for they represent a Decatur program that has blossomed during their time.
“They have done the program proud and can feel good about being a part of a great Decatur basketball legacy,” the coach said. “They can reflect on the program and feel like they were a part of something special.”
Just how special will be determined soon.
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