A team approach to success
Published 4:32 pm Saturday, May 14, 2016
King’s Fork High School soccer player Drequan Wilson had an outstanding performance against Lake Taylor on Monday, scoring seven out of the team’s nine points and confirming the reason he was nominated for the Duke Automotive/Suffolk News-Herald’s Player of the Week.
“It was a great game,” Wilson said. “I felt like the team was playing better, and I was finishing it better than ever.”
So far this year, Wilson has 17 goals in 11 games. He also had one assist in the Lake Taylor game. Kings Fork is 7-4 overall with a game against Churchland High School coming up.
Wilson believes much of his success is a result of his teammates. “Once I see my goal keeper is stopping the goal, it makes me work harder,” he said.
But he plays with a personal aggressiveness that is unmatched by most opponents, and his will to succeed begins with mental preparation and time in the weight room.
“Soccer is a lifestyle,” he said. “You’ve got to be dedicated and work hard to be better than the rest. I lift weights, because when I’m out there on the field, I don’t want anyone to push me off the ball.”
But he’s careful not to allow aggressiveness become aggression. Wilson keeps his emotions under control so that he can see what’s really going on.
Prior to his games, Wilson listens to his favorite rapper, Meek Mills, to get his mind right. This helps him get in the zone, and it has become a ritual for him.
“I’m numb in the beginning, but once things start to warm up I get excited,” he said.
To get ready for Churchland, Wilson said, he is working on his touches and his shot, he also wants to have better communication with other players on the field so they can work together as a team.
Wilsons mind is extremely active during the game as he plans how to score on his opponent.
“At first I think what do I need to do to beat the other teams,” he said. “Once the passes start flowing, that’s when the goals start pouring in.”
Wilson thanked his teammates for helping him to become a better player. He said they push him and believe in him, and that whenever he gets that inspiration from them he improves.
He also thanks his coach for being there and understanding his struggles.
“Each time he tells me what to do, I listen and try it and it works,” says Wilson. “He told me to start shooting the ball more, and once I did I started scoring more.”