The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Wilson boys’ basketball team is looking forward to this season as they compete for a top-4 seed in the Moore League and a spot in the playoffs.
Entering his ninth season at the helm, Wilson coach James Boykin is ready to see how this team gels after an offseason of work that saw them come together as a collective unit.
“I like this team this year, man. The culture is really good,” Boykin said. “These guys do all the hard stuff well. They play defense, they work together, they’ve got high energy. And at the end of the day, they’re just really good kids. As a coach, that’s all you can really ask for.”
The Bruins open the season against Downey on Monday and Boykin believes this group could be one of his most connected yet.
Last year’s campaign ended with the Bruins losing four of their last five Moore League contests that took them out of playoff contention. A win in any of those contests could have changed their postseason fate.
“Not making the playoffs rubbed some of us the wrong way,” Mathew Searles said. “We want to get back into the playoffs, especially, trying to be more competitive in this league. Our culture is going up, it’s a lot stronger and we’re able to hold each other accountable. And I feel like that’s just for the betterment of our team.”
With several key players returning, including All-Moore League first-team selection Andre Alvarez-Smith, the Bruins are focused on turning that experience into results.
Along with the team’s culture, Searles is excited about the team’s scheme which will include a lot of movement to get the ball into their playmakers hands.
Boykin said the team’s chemistry has stood out from the start of fall workouts.
“This might be one of the better culture teams I’ve ever had,” he said. “Even guys on the bench are cheering for one another. They come in for extra work, they push each other, and a lot of what they do is player-led. That’s special.”
The Bruins return a solid core that includes Alvarez-Smith, Searles, Nehemiah Parris, Noah Jaramillo, and Isaac Amara, all saw minutes last season. Boykin expects as many as 10 or 11 players to contribute regularly, giving the team depth and balance across the roster.
“It’s really a strength-in-numbers group,” Boykin said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can produce. My challenge is finding the right rotations and making sure everyone gets their chance.”
For Boykin, who took over the Wilson program in 2016, the Bruins’ identity remains rooted in effort and accountability; qualities he hopes will help carry them through another demanding Moore League schedule.
“They hold each other accountable, they care about each other, and they take pride in what they do,” Boykin said. “That’s what makes coaching this group so enjoyable.”
With a roster built on chemistry and commitment, Wilson enters the season confident it can once again compete with the league’s best and perhaps break through into the playoff picture.
The Bruins will start Moore League action on Dec. 12 when they head to the West Side to take on Cabrillo.
