Wilderness pushing towards state championship

An'juan Wilderness is getting closer to winning a state championship and he's playing with the one game at a time mentality. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound small forward from Dunwoody (Ga.) High School has been big for his squad all season long and he's not slowing down any time soon now that he and his talented teammates are in the Final Four.

Wilderness, the No. 78 ranked player in the class of 2006 by Rivals.com, scored 27 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in a convincing win in the sectional round of the state playoffs. He played just three quarters.

Even with a great showing, the lefty isn't getting his just due amongst the hoops faithful in his home state. That's alright with Wilderness.

"I don't mind it. Nobody is looking at us in the spotlight. I don't know if it's because they don't like us or just don't know about us," Wilderness said. "Whatever it is, it doesn't matter to me.

"It's a good motivation for me. I think everyone feels that way. It's good to know that people don't give us the same kind of credit they get."

While respect is being earned as Dunwoody moves on in the playoffs, he's also getting respect from college recruiters. Arkansas is showing some love. So has Florida State, the last school to come to see him play this season. Florida and Texas are also in the picture, says Wilderness. One SEC school is standing out.

"They are the main ones talking to me right now," Wilderness said of Arkansas. "They started last year and they've been with me for some time now."

With motivation of winning a championship and playing his final AAU season with the Atlanta Celtics, Wilderness knows his prep career is on the down slope.

"This (the remaining time left) is big. I'm ready to show everybody that is looking at me that I can play," Wilderness said.