Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week: Manning's Wilson lifts Lady Monarchs to playoff berth

The Manning girls basketball team went into last week in last place in Region VI-3A. With two games left with Lakewood, it would take a sweep of the Lady Gators to slide into fourth place and secure a trip to the playoffs.

That's where La'tavius Wilson stepped in.

With their season on the line, Wilson provided two clutch performances to send Manning to the playoffs, which begin on Thursday with a trip to Bishop England. She also did enough to be named the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.

"I feel excited to win," Wilson said of the recognition. "I didn't think I would have people supporting me like that."

Heading into the week, Wilson only had one thing on her mind.

"All I was thinking through those two games was that we had to win in order to get in the playoffs," Wilson said. "And that's what we did."

In the first game against Lakewood, Wilson had a shaky night from the field. Nevertheless, she stepped to the free throw line as the clock wound down with a chance to break a 43-43 tie. Wilson hit both shots, and the Lady Monarchs won as the Lakewood game-winner bounced off the rim.

"When I was at the line, I was nervous at first because all I was thinking about was 'If I miss these shots, this game might go another way,'" said Wilson, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and an assist. "As I took my time and made those shots and they both went in, I was just thinking about getting back on defense."

But one win wasn't enough to earn a playoff spot. The Lady Monarchs were suddenly in a tie with Lakewood and Lake City, as each team had one region victory. With a win on Friday, Manning was in. With a loss, they'd be sent packing.

"Friday night was an intense and challenging game for us, but we knew we had to do everything to win that game," Wilson said. "I felt that, as a captain and leader of my team, I had to do what was necessary to ensure a win. We knew if we were all hot, we had to stay hot as we continued to score. As the game got closer, the crowd got more intense."

Manning saw their lead grow and shrink at times throughout the fourth quarter, but Wilson scored their last five points as the Lady Monarchs won 47-41 to advance to the playoffs. She finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a block.

"After the buzzer went off at the end of the game, I was excited and happy that me and my teammates really rose from sixth place and thinking we were out," Wilson said. "We kept telling ourselves that we got this. We won that game, and we were so excited that we got to the playoffs. Having the opportunity to play (in the playoffs) means the beginning of much success."

Head coach Verner Hilton knew that she could rely on Wilson with the season on the line, and her junior guard came through.

"I saw a willingness of determination, knowing what we needed to do to make the playoffs," Hilton said. "She really put the team on her shoulders and encouraged them on the floor. She just had that determination to win."

In her first season at the helm at Manning, Hilton is looking forward to opening the playoffs against a tough Bishop England squad.

"It was very exciting because at one point it looked a little dim, but we played hard to play in the playoffs," Hilton said. "In the past, we've struggled with Bishop England, but I feel good about Thursday. The girls feel good about it; they'll come together and do what it takes to get this victory."