By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(February 18, 2024 7:30 AM ET) Jackson High School student-athlete Sherquan Wilson found himself at a crossroads more than a year ago.
Then a junior, Wilson said he was not in the right mindset to play basketball last season.
With the help of his coaches, athletic buddies, and a determination to get better personally and athletically, the senior is helping Jackson have a solid season on the basketball court.
Wilson missed his junior year on the basketball court after playing at the junior varsity level as a sophomore.
He has turned it around averaging 11 points per game and being a consistent contributor on both sides of the court.
“I was not in the right mindset (during his junior year) … so I decided to wait until next year,” Wilson said of his decision. “I had to separate from some people around me … no distractions.”
Wilson kept himself busy during that time with football workouts and playing pickup basketball at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
“My coaches and friends helped me (find my way) during that time,” Wilson said.
Wilson had a solid season on the defensive side of the football this past fall as one of the top tacklers for the Vikings at the defensive back, safety position.
He is one of three players – Koronnis Davis (11.8) and Darrion Weller (10.0) – averaging in double digits for the Vikings on the basketball court. Jackson was 11-9 for the season heading into action Friday.
“My teammates helped me get into basketball shape this season,” Wilson said. “It is a whole different conditioning level from football.”
Jackson’s basketball team is built on speed with five players who are “interchangeable” according to Wilson.
“We have a lot of people here who look out for one another,” Wilson said of his experience at JHS. “On the basketball court, we have learned to hold one another accountable.
“If you are not playing right, someone else will come in for you.”
Wilson sees his future in football as he would like to play junior college football and study personal finance.
The lessons learned on the football field and basketball court are ones that Wilson can follow for the rest of his life.
“You have to learn how to communicate with everyone around you,” Wilson said. “I have learned patience because you can’t force a lot of things.”
