One of the most memorable boys basketball players and shooters ever in the state was honored recently by his high school alma mater.
Blair Wilson of Westminster was recalled as a skinny freshman on the Warriors varsity, but he still had the long-range touch even back then. Wilson took part in a halftime ceremony in the final year at his old gym. Westminster High, now known as the Wolves after combining athletically with nearby Ranum, will be unveiling an impressive new building immediately west of the current school.
“It’s an honor to get this but it’s weird being back,” he said after a visit to the old place.
Wilson also was just chosen by his hometown newspaper, the Westminster Window, as the area’s boys basketball player of the decade. At a Wolves game against Adams City, Wilson received his old jersey in a frame, plus an encased basketball.
“I kind of liked the old blue and red (uniforms),” he said.
The Wolves now have a teal, black and silver color scheme, so Wilson’s No. 43 might have looked outdated in the new gym.
But Wilson, who played for his father Steve at Westminster, was pretty much an old-school player anyway. Yes, his range was impressive, but his points came from all over the court and his rebounding was overlooked by those who didn’t know better.
In an age when a 25-point scoring average is rare in Class 5A, Wilson averaged 33.7 and 9.3 rebounds his senior season. He finished his career in 1996 with 2,349 points, ranking third all-time according to Colorado High School Activities Association records. However, that total is tops among Class 5A players, as Brian Wood of Buena Vista scored 2,551 was in 3A and Mike Worley of Swink scored 2,369 in 2A.
Wilson, went on to play at the University of Colorado. He attended the ceremony with his parents and wife, and he is now a Westminster police officer. He majored in business at CU and now he finds similarities between law enforcement and basketball.
“It’s the same team atmosphere,” he said.
Wilson had been highly honored, with selections to All-State three times, twice to All-Colorado and once as an honorable mention All-American.
Looking ahead
Another big week in both Class 5A and 4A gets underway, particularly in Denver and Colorado Springs.
The Denver Prep League has some enticing games on tap, with Thomas Jefferson visiting Denver East and Montbello at Lincoln, both on Tuesday. Then, it’s that always-anticipated father-son matchup when East and Montbello meet 1 p.m. Saturday at Manual’s Thunderdome.
Both East and Montbello have experienced highs and lows already this season. The Angels (13-6) hit the skids early last month in back-to-back road losses to Chatfield (94-74) and Highlands Ranch (76-62). Then Rudy Carey’s team bounced back with six victories in a row, including a 52-46 rematch with Highlands Ranch.
David Carey’s Montbello team set a quick pace with nine wins to start the season, but quickly dropped road games to Highlands Ranch (68-48) and at Gateway (55-51). However, in between those defeats, the Warriors managed an impressive 73-66 win against Chatfield.
Meanwhile, Dakota Ridge and Chatfield will break the tie atop the Jefferson County League standings with a Thursday game in the Chargers gym. Dakota Ridge will be without leading scorer Danny DiFolco, though, who already has missed three games since suffering a blow to the head against Standley Lake on Jan. 29.
On Friday, Fairview visits Mountain Range. The Mustangs last week held Lambkins star Chase Maag to only three points, but shot poorly in a 57-45 loss.
In Class 4A, Sierra visits Lewis-Palmer on Thursday, in another battle between two up-and-down teams. Thomas Jefferson, by the way, trails East, Lincoln and Montbello in the combined-class Denver Prep League, so a win against the Angels on Tuesday would propel the Spartans right into the thick of the race.
Alumni report
Former stars from Colorado high schools got time in the spotlight with televised games last Saturday. ThunderRidge alum Matt Bouldin led Gonzaga to a 66-58 win at Memphis, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Tigers. The Zags, 19-4, have won 11 of their last 12 games and are ranked 17th in the nation.
Reggie Jackson, the Palmer graduate now at Boston College, scored 11 points in a 66-63 loss to No. 10 Duke. Jackson has started more than half the Eagles games and is averaging 13.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
The Colorado Buffaloes lost a valiant try against top-ranked Kansas and lost 72-66 in overtime in front of a capacity crowd in Boulder. However, Arapahoe alum Levi Knutson scored a season high 13 points, shot .625 and made three three-pointers.
