Wilson Looks to Bring Attention to Mustangs Basketball

To win basketball games in the Sea View League, a team must have senior leaders and playmakers in the backcourt.  Trabuco Hills hopes that they have both in Kyle Wilson.           

Wilson, his team's senior point guard, recently committed to play basketball for Army next year.  After a recruiting visit to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point last season, he came away impressed by the coaching staff, the culture and life offered by the Army.

Coach Tom McCluskey, who has headed the Trabuco Hills boys basketball program since the 2004-2005 season, said Wilson is his first player to commit to Army.

"You look at it and it's a 10 plus-year commitment," McCluskey said, referring to the years in school and the military obligation after graduation. "He really likes the regiment of it all.  Not only does he get to play [NCAA] Division I basketball, but he will have great opportunities when he finishes."

After graduating from West Point, a cadet is required to serve five years of active duty and three years as a reserve. 

"I really like all the possibilities that West Point offers, particularly the job opportunities," said Wilson, who added that the leadership skills he will develop in the Army will enable him to be successful in a variety of careers. 

But before Wilson leaves for the West Point campus, located 50 miles north of New York City, he hopes to take care of business on the basketball court for the Mustangs this season.  For Wilson, that means winning the league title and making a run in the playoffs.

Last season, the Mustangs finished 17-12 and won their first-round playoff game against Oxnard.  They are looking to improve on their 6-5 league record.

And that means working on becoming a better defensive team. 

"We have to play solid man-to-man defense and put pressure on the ball-handlers," McCluskey said.  "We hope our defense will be our strength come the end of the season."

On offense, McCluskey is expecting solid play-making skills from his guards.

"We have to get the ball to Wilson and play off of him," the coach said.  "We have a real good senior leader in Kyle."

Wilson is the only returning player from last years roster.

The Mustangs saw their top rebounder, Thierry Pace, and assists leader, Robert Grepo, both graduate. They will be looking for major contributions on the boards from such first-year varsity players as sophomore Craig Mayger and senior Ojan Negahban.  Senior Andrew Smith, also on the varsity for the first time, will share backcourt duties with Wilson.

"We've got a great group of kids.  It's really a close-knit group," McCluskey said. "They play well together and are extremely coachable. It makes it a lot of fun for me."

In addition to the lofty goal of winning a league title, Wilson has more personal aspirations this season, and they all center on one particular game.

"February 1 at El Toro," the senior said when asked about which games he marked on his calendar.  "I noticed it right when the schedule came out."

Trabuco Hills won two of its three Sea View League meetings with the rival Chargers last season. El Toro won the first game, 46-39, but the Mustangs rebounded later with a 43-40 victory at El Toro and then in a tie-breaking game, edged the Chargers, 42-36, to clinch a playoff spot.

Wilson and his teammates hope the memory of those victories will result in another in the El Toro gym this season, even though the Chargers are now members of the South Coast League in boys basketball. 

"It is much more important for our team to win than for me to have individual achievements," said Wilson, who seems to understand the mindset needed by a team leader.

Next year at West Point, Wilson will join recent Santa Margarita graduate Jason Pancoe as guards for the Black Knights.  Pancoe is a regular starter for Army this season, averaging nearly seven points and four rebounds.

 "He [Wilson] probably thought going to West Point would be one of the last things he would do," McCluskey said of Wilson's decision.  "But now, he just raves about the place and is really looking forward to it."