Times Honors Wilson as Valley Player of Year

When Greg Herrick took over as basketball coach at Cleveland High six years ago he said he would never have a big-time scorer on his team.

But in the past season, Trevor Wilson scored 586 points, an average of 24.4, to break Chris Lippert’s 1975 record of 549 points.

“It’s a tribute to him that he accomplished that goal in the team concept,” Herrick said.

Wilson, a 6-7 junior forward, was named the Valley-area Player of the Year Tuesday night at The Times’ annual high school awards program. Paul Muff of Crespi was named Coach of the Year at ceremonies held at the Harry Chandler Auditorium.

“Obviously, he is a once-in-a-lifetime talent,” Herrick said of Wilson. “He will probably be one of the top five recruited players in America next year.”

Wilson, a quick and powerful forward, has received major attention from colleges.

“Everybody from Maine to Hawaii and in between is recruiting Trevor,” Herrick said. “UCLA, Louisville, North Carolina State and Las Vegas are some of the many schools interested.”

Wilson led the Cavaliers to a 22-2 record and to the quarterfinals of the City 4-A playoffs. He also averaged 11.9 rebounds a game.

Among the honors he rolled up: All-City for the second straight season, West Valley League MVP, and third-team Parade Magazine All-American.

Muff coached the Celts to their second straight Del Rey League title despite having no starter listed taller than 6-3.

Crespi was not a strong rebounding team, but it didn’t have to be, considering how well it shot from the outside.

The Celts were 16-8 and reached the Southern Section 5-A quarterfinals.