Smallish Player Steps Up

In a season that featured a number of high-profile high school guards, it was easy to overlook Servite’s Dennis Wisco.

At 5 feet 8, Wisco is small, even for a point guard. He wasn’t among county statistical leaders. And the Friars, despite winning the Golden West League title in a surprise, were never taken seriously. They made a first-round exit in the Southern Section Division II-A playoffs, losing to unseeded Pacifica, 85-80.

That’s why Wisco is looking forward to playing for the North team in Saturday’s 32nd Costa Mesa Kiwanis Orange County boys’ all-star basketball game. Tip-off is 8 p.m. at Orange Coast College.

Wisco, one of the last players selected to play in the game after a couple of higher profile guards withdrew, sees the opportunity as a coming-out party.

“It will be show time,” he said.

Wisco didn’t make headlines as often as all-county selections Kevin Augustine of Mater Dei, Isaiah Cavaco of Villa Park, Wes Bunn Jr. of Cypress, Sean Wink of Brea Olinda or Kevin Falconer of Calvary Chapel. But those who watched Wisco play say he deserves a chance to prove that he should, at least, be compared to those players. They point out he has exceptional quickness and averaged 10.2 points, six assists and four steals, and was named the league’s most valuable player.

In the drive to the league title, Wisco had three double-doubles in scoring and assists in victories over Saddleback, Santa Ana and Westminster.

“The kid can flat-out play,” Servite Coach Scott Hamilton said. “He’s amazing. There were some excellent guards in the county this year. There’s no doubt how good Augustine is, but, honestly, compared with the rest of the guards in the county, I’d take Dennis in a second.”

Cavaco, who has been on an extended trip visiting relatives in Hawaii, declined an invitation to play Saturday. Augustine decided to play in the Eddie Jones all-star game in Long Beach Tuesday and is also bypassing the county all-star game in order to rest a sore shoulder.

While it’s a shame Wisco won’t have an opportunity to play on the same floor with those two, the fact that they are not at the game should provide him with a greater opportunity to display his talents. For example, Falconer will compete for the South, which is coached by his dad, Craig. Wisco should have an opportunity to go head to head with Falconer.

“If someone is bringing the ball up the floor against him, they must be ready to handle it,” Hamilton said. “Offensively, he has great moves to the basket. He can shoot the three, but he wasn’t asked to do that for us this year.”

Hamilton said the Friars’ early exit in the playoffs hurt Wisco’s chances of making the all-county team. He also said Wisco was so intent on helping the team do well, that he often short-changed himself.

“He could have averaged 20 points a game for us this year if I let him,” Hamilton said. “If anything, I restricted him too much.”

Wisco doesn’t appear too worried about the amount of attention he received this season.

“I was playing in the shadow of Augustine and other guards who were ahead of me,” he said. “I’m not really concerned with who saw me play or who didn’t see me play during the season. I was just out there playing basketball. I was out there to have some fun and I did just that.”

North all-star Coach Gene Lloyd of Brea Olinda said he was told Wisco has been highly underrated. Lloyd said he is happy to have him and expects to showcase Wisco, alongside Bunn or Wink, in the backcourt.

Meanwhile, Wisco, who has plans to attend UC Irvine, said he may try to walk on with the Anteaters.

If not, he said, after the all-star game is over it won’t be much trouble to put basketball behind him and study to be a dentist.

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All-Star Basketball

What: 32nd annual Costa Mesa Kiwanis Orange County boys’ and girls’ all-star basketball games featuring graduating seniors.

Site--Orange Coast College.

When--Saturday, girls’ game begins at 5 p.m.; boys’ game at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $12 for adults, $7 for students. Benefits charities.