Wilson Plays The Human Torch

FARMINGTON -- Matt Wilson took two dribbles across half-court then Farmington's human torch fired up a 3-pointer that hit nothing but the bottom of the net to open the game.

His first made field goal of a career-high 49 points came nine seconds into the game off the opening jump ball as his teammates wasted no time in getting the basketball into Wilson's capable hands. Wilson replicated the feat 34 seconds later on his way to setting a new school single-game scoring mark and leading the 5A West Cardinals past 6A West Siloam Springs by a 70-48 margin on Jan. 3.

"I was hoping that they would come out and play that 3-2 zone because I knew they would be synced off, I just went up there and shot it," Wilson said.

Farmington coach Beau Thompson said Wilson is a special, special player and having the school record couldn't happen to a better kid.

"He's a unique combination of athleticism and work ethic," Thompson said. "I believe he was up here (at Cardinal Arena) at Christmas."

Thompson said opponents are trying harder and harder to guard Wilson.

"Every game we see some form of junk defense, whether it be a diamond and one or a triangle and one," Thompson said. "Right now, he's shooting 40 percent from the arc on the season. From the depth he shoots it and with people hanging on him, it's a really incredible percentage."

Siloam Springs was left wishing Wilson wasn't so proficient at finding the basket. The 6-feet-2 senior guard knocked down four 3-pointers in the first quarter all from well beyond the arc and had 14 points in the period. In the second quarter, the Panthers got caught out of position and left Wilson open to receive a cross-court pass. He dialed up another trifecta. Wilson had 25 points at halftime and was directly involved in 29 of Farmington's 32 points, by dishing out two assists.

Siloam Springs used a 10-3 run to cut Farmington's lead to 32-21 at halftime, but when they momentarily got careless with the ball, Wilson transformed fast-break opportunities into points.

Wilson opened the second half with a pull-up jumper. Nearly a minute later he missed a 3-pointer, but Siloam Springs' attention was riveted and Cade Fenton claimed the rebound. He kissed a left-handed hook shot off the glass. Wilson then scored the next seven points off three steals.

Farmington assistant Ronnie Davis has seen a lot of basketball in his time but this is one game he won't take for granted.

"I'm glad I got to see it," Davis said, explaining, "What can you say? He was hot and taking good shots and everybody else did a real good job of feeding him the ball. They got several steals and got him the ball down-court."

Xavier Staten triggered one of those plays which Wilson capped with a slam-dunk much to the delight of Farmington fans.

"The first time I had that layup I was high enough to dunk it, so the next time I decided to try it and it went in," Wilson said nonchalantly remaining low-key about his accomplishments.

His dad, Bobby Wilson, was there watching and when talking to Bobby Wilson, one quickly gets a glimpse of where Matt learned to take success with a sincere dose of humility.

"To me, all the hours he's put in at the gym at all hours, he puts in the work that it takes," Bobby Wilson said. "I'm proud of him for how hard of a worker he is. I'm proud of his teammates. They are a great bunch of kids. They all work together. When he gets hot, they all get him the ball."

Wilson's 15 points in the third were further high-lighted by his body control. He scored several times in traffic, twisting and hanging in the air and utilizing the backboard against back-pedaling defenders as the Cardinals put pressure on Siloam Springs in transition. Farmington led 55-34 after three quarters of play and the outcome was no longer in question.

The only thing to be settled was whether or not Wilson would get the school single-game scoring record. His teammates rose to the occasion. Farmington athletic director Brad Blew was head girls coach when Jessica Carter-McCollough set the record with 47 points in 2000.

"As I recall she broke one of her teammate's records for the previous year," Blew said. "Seems like it was 44 or 45."

That record belonged to Kala Madewell, who went on to play college basketball at Ole Miss and Henderson State. McCollough played four years at Mississippi State and Wilson signed a national letter of intent with Delta State in November.

Fenton stole an outlet and found Wilson, who found the hoop with a runner. Taylor Carbonel pushed a steal up-court. He missed but Wilson didn't with the follow. After making a free throw, Wilson reached 47 points with a bank shot on the run. His 49th point came off Carbonel's steal and lead pass pushing the Cardinal lead to 64-36 with 4:52 left.

"It's really kind of a neat thing," Blew said. "Jessica McCollough owned it at 47 points for many years. He came close when he had a real chance to break it last year and tonight he got it done. That was important, not only to Matt, but it was important to his teammates. They put him in situations where he could score. He doesn't need a lot of help, but they were trying to help him in any way they could."