By Angie Antonopoulos
As a sixth grader, Mary Wilson, a senior and shooting guard for Center Grove High School’s girls varsity basketball team, would wake up before for sunrise to shoot hoops before school once or twice a week at Mount Pleasant Christian Church’s gym. Now she has 24-7 access at Dream Makers Basketball in Whiteland, where she has worked with former Indiana Miss Basketball, Lisa Shepherd-Stidham. as her mentor.
“I noticed that if I work really hard at something, I see results,” Wilson said. “I just love basketball. I fell in love with it and work really hard at it.” She also said she appreciates the great relationships she’s built.
Shepherd-Stidham said Wilson has been a joy to work with and one of her top players. “She’ll be that kid who is the first one to come in the morning and the last kid to leave.”
Kevin Stuckmeyer, girls basketball coach, business teacher and early college teacher at Center Grove High School, said that Wilson has matured greatly as a basketball player and is a great student of the game.
“Mary is a tremendous scorer and shooter,” Stuckmeyer said. “She has also developed the ability to change speeds and survey a play at a high level.”
During Wilson’s high school experience, the girls varsity basketball team experienced a lot of success, including winning 20 games in three consecutive years, two sectionals and three Johnson County tournaments. She was also All Conference and All State Large school last season and earned an invitation as a Top 100 Underclassman.
“She has been a joy to coach with her hunger for the game, tireless work ethic, gym rat mindset and willingness to learn the game and be coached,” Stuckmeyer said. “Mary has done a tremendous job of leading by example. Her competitive spirit and willingness to put in the work is extremely high and has been a great illustration for the younger players on the work ethic it takes, and willingness to compete in order to have success.”
Wilson said she has learned a lot from him, including defensive awareness and how to share the floor with her teammates. “Over the past four years of working with Stuck, I’ve gained just a better overall understanding of the game, especially on defense,” Wilson said. “Everyone has a role on the team and can make a big impact on the game.”
After Wilson graduates, she plans to major in political science and business management at the University of Denver on a full scholarship, playing Division I basketball. She also plans to go to law school, and maybe play a couple years of pro basketball internationally, if she gets the opportunity.
Wilson’s parents, Heather and Andrew Wilson, are very proud of her success and development over the years. “We couldn’t be more happy in how it came together,” Heather said.
Mary’s father Andrew said he is happy for her success in basketball and is amazed at how far she has come. “I love watching her play and watching her team respond to her energy,” Andrew said. “We’ve provided the opportunity, but she’s driven it. It’s all her.”
THE WILSON FILE
NAME: Mary Wilson
YEAR: Senior
HEIGHT: 5 feet, 10 inches
AGE: 18
SPORT: Girls basketball
POSITION: Shooting guard/small-forward
HOBBIES/INTERESTS: Listening to music, watching movies, spending time with family and friends
COLLEGE PLANS: Studying political science and business management at the University of Denver
FAVORITE MOVIE: Rocky IV
FAVORITE TV PROGRAM: Parks and Recreation
PARENTS: Andrew and Heather Wilson
