The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Last season ended in a most peculiar way for Wilson boys’ basketball.
The Bruins played Cabrillo on back-to-back nights to break a Moore League tie, and after winning the second game, coach James Boykin was accosted by one of his own player’s parents which led to the Long Beach Police Department being called.
“The whole crazy thing with the parents, or me having personal security from the school… It is what it is,” said Boykin. “I always say to these guys, ‘Handle hard better,’ and these guys haven’t been intimidated by anything going on.”
Senior captain Nathaniel Parris thinks the incident and Boykin’s stalwart response have been galvanizing moments for the Bruins.
“Now we’re closer than ever,” Parris said. “(Boykin) trusts his players. He lets them lead and give him feedback. He lets us play.”
Boykin will need to rely on that cohesion for his Bruins to be successful this season.
“Somebody asked me the other day who our best player is, but it’s that everybody has their role and everyone needs to contribute,” said Boykin, who is in his 10th year at Wilson. “I’ve had dudes who can go get you 25 points, but this team isn’t really built like that. It’s going to be a collection of players and a collection of effort for us to get wins.”
For example, Wilson doesn’t have a true point guard so the 6’3” 165-pound Parris (left) will lead what Boykin called, “A point guard by committee.”
“He’s like the glue for this team,” Boykin said of Parris. “He brings a lot of tenacity and toughness. They follow him.”
Parris, who has contributed at the varsity level since he was a freshman, worked hard during the offseason season to be more efficient with the ball and not over dribble.
“I want to be able to get downhill and be better in transition,” Parris said.
Senior guard Karim Caldwell is also one of the most experienced players on the team as he works his way back from a bad ankle injury. Junior Mathew Searles and freshman Nehamiah Parris will also share ball-handling duties.
Sophomore Evan Mack is a 6’3” swing forward who is currently finishing the football season as a starting defensive back. Other sports and injuries are the main reason Boykin hasn’t had his full complement of players since the end of last season.
“I love his defense and length,” Boykin said of Mack. “He’s a savant on the defensive end with his shot block timing.”
Mack also served a lot of point guard duties during the summer to become a better playmaker on offense.
Sophomore forward Isaac Amara has brought his team-first attitude to filling Mack’s absence, and also in the front court is fellow sophomore Andre Alvarez-Smith. He is a very active 6’6” 190-pound center who is quickly learning to be skilled around the rim. Another important sophomore for the Bruins is 6’2” swing forward Cooper George.
This unique roster has Boykin coaching and scheduling differently. He’s given them more concepts to practice with involving ball movement, player movement and cutting into space.
“If everyone buys into that concept offensively then everyone is going to eat,” Boykin said. “In terms of scheduling, this year I made a conscious effort to play more inner city teams to be more prepared for the Moore League style of play. In the past I’ve played more Orange County teams than I probably should have. I need these guys to get more comfortable with the toughness, pace, speed and physicality so that when we get into league it’s not as much of a culture and basketball shock.”
“(The Moore League) is about playing defense and playing hard,” Parris said. “It’s hustle. All of these kids are big and tough so we have to be stronger and faster.”
