Photo By Staff Sgt. Jerry Rushing | Sherard Wilson gives an official an earful Tuesday night after a controversial call,...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Jerry Rushing
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Move over John Wooden, there's a new coach at Guantanamo Bay that's making a name for himself in the local coaching scene – Petty Officer 2nd Class Sherard Wilson. In three seasons of coaching youth basketball, Wilson has won two consecutive championships and hasn't lost a game since his first season.
Wilson is an administrative assistant to the Joint Intelligence Group and is serving a one-year deployment that ends in May.
"I mainly just do your average administrative duties, but right now they have me in the slot as the awards petty officer," said Wilson. "And for the JIG, I'm the safety officer and also the watch coordinator."
In just his first year of administration, he has taken the role of helper to new heights. When new troops come to the JIG, Wilson is the man that gets their travel plans together, finds them housing and gets their meal cards. He helps out the troops that are leaving by getting all their awards and evaluations together and making sure their travel plans are made.
"It is a job that deals with customer service," said Wilson. "Customer service is very hard to keep up with. It is an every day job that is very challenging, but also gratifying."
Wilson was born and raised in Newark, N.J., until he moved in with his dad in Virginia Beach, Va., after he turned 16. That is when his life changed for the better.
"After I moved in with my dad in Virginia, I noticed a big difference between going to an inner-city public school compared to a nice suburban school where everyone had their own text books," said Wilson. "It just so happened I could play basketball and the school was becoming the state of Virginia high school basketball powerhouse."
Wilson played point guard for two seasons at Salem High School and led his team to a state title in 2001. The team ended the season ranked seventh in the nation by USA Today.
"In my senior year we won the state title by beating Cave Spring High School, a team from Roanoke," said Wilson. "That was special to me because I got to play and beat J.J. Redick, who played for Duke University and now is an NBA player for the Orlando Magic."
After graduating from high school, Wilson joined the Navy and was stationed at Virginia Beach in 2004 where he started coaching.
"After joining the military, it was hard trying to play as much basketball as I would've liked to," said Wilson. "Instead of just giving it up and not being able to play, I decided to volunteer to coach with the Virginia Beach Larkspur-Salem Recreation Department three days a week."
In his first season of coaching, things didn't go well for Wilson. His 11-12 year olds finished in last place with a 0-13 record. But in his second season things changed when he moved up to coach 14-16 year olds. He finished that season undefeated at 13-0.
"My first year was a learning phase for both the players and myself, but I learned what the kids could do, both offensively and defensively," said Wilson.
After arriving, Wilson decided to get with three people that work with him in the JIG and start coaching the Wizards, a Morale, Welfare, & Recreation basketball league for 11-14 year olds.
"We took it on ourselves to go out and grab a team, not knowing who the kids were or their talent level," said Wilson. "We took everything we knew and threw it at the kids and they grasped it."
Wilson led the Wizards to an undefeated season at 8-0 after a 45-12 drumming of their opponent at Denich Gym, March 18.
"It is so gratifying to see the kids learn how to play the game of basketball," said Wilson. "It is so satisfying watching the kids make their first basket or see them remember what I taught them in practice."
Something to think about: It took Wooden 27 seasons at UCLA to win 10 national titles. So watch out Wooden! Here comes Wilson with two championships in just three years.
| Date Taken: | 03.19.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.21.2008 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 17636 |
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| Web Views: | 266 |
| Downloads: | 148 |
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