It’s a slam dunk

When you are a back-to-back Midwest 2A Conference Player of the Year, the question is not if you’ll play college basketball, the question is where. Such was the case for recently graduated star Eric Wilson.
UNC-Pembroke, Pfeiffer, Appalachian State and Montreat College all were vying for Wilson’s services during his standout senior year at Lincolnton High School. But Wilson shunned all of them in favor of Western Carolina.
So why choose the Catamounts?
“It’s a good fit for me. When I was looking at schools I was looking for what would be best for me academically and on the basketball court. It was a childhood dream to play Division I basketball and Western Carolina provided that,” Wilson said.
Lincolnton athletic director Scott Cloninger agrees with Wilson’s assessment and is happy with his decision.
“I think it’s a good fit for him. He had other offers and opportunities, but he felt more comfortable with that program. All our young people need to find out what’s best for them,” he said.
Wilson makes the third Lincolnton standout who has made a decision regarding where they will further their athletic career along with Darren Wilson (Clinton Junior College) and Bradley Dalrymple (Appalachian State).
Cloninger feels all three of them made a solid decision for their college choice.
“All three of them had opportunities to go to different places, but each individual has to make a decision what’s best. Bradley, Darren and Eric are all walking on, but at times that’s a good decision. As hard as worker as all three are, I think they’ll have successful college careers,” he said.
Wilson, who has been playing basketball since he was six years old, concluded a stellar senior year averaging 22 points a game, 10 rebounds and dished out four assists per contest.
So what pushes a player the caliber of Wilson?
“My desire to just dominate and be the best. I haven’t been blessed with the best athleticism, so I have to use my basketball knowledge— that’s helped me along with my work ethic,” Wilson said.
Wilson, who finished as the 2A Player of the Year Runner-Up on I-High.com, loves the game of basketball because everybody has to work together.
“I love the team oriented aspect, five people trying to accomplish one goal. You got five people working to put the ball in the hoop— especially team defense where you have to communicate about help and the competitive aspect with everybody wanting to win, that’s what I like most,” he said.
The 6’1” 205-pound player used a deadly perimeter game and solid post game to put together seven 30-plus point games in his senior campaign. During his senior season he also had five games in a row with 30 points or more, with a high of 37 against the then No. 2 in the state East Rutherford Cavaliers.
Although he is just embarking on his college career, Wilson already has certain aspirations for his career as a Catamount.
“I just want to play as a freshman and try to make an impact as a freshman. Long term, I want to work my way from the bottom and to be one of the better players to ever play at Western Carolina—that would be great,” he said.
A second round exit against the Monroe Red Hawks fuels Wilson and has left him with a void he’ll carry with him.
“Anybody who plays high school basketball wants to win a state championship. To not have that happen I use that as motivation and just try to get better— help Western win the conference title next year,” he said.
Wilson credits the South Fork Recreation Department for their various leagues that he played in growing up as a kid among other people.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God, my mother, Rev. Franklin Lowery, Lawerence Carter, Karen Leonhardt and people at South Fork for giving me a place to play for so long,” he said.
With Wilson being a standout on the gridiron, does he plan to explore the two-sport option at Western?
“I’m going to miss Lincolnton High School and playing at Von Ray Harris Stadium. That’s the thing I’ll miss is playing football, I loved that. I want to focus on basketball right now, but next year I would like to experiment with walking on the football team as well.”
by John Mark Brooks