Sophomore forward Sincere Williams is making up for lost time at Metea Valley.
In only his second year of playing organized basketball, the 6-foot-7 Williams has already worked his way into the starting lineup in his first season on the varsity for the Mustangs.
“I started playing basketball very late,” Williams said. “So I feel like the people in my circle and the coaches I’ve worked with, they’ve helped me a lot and I’m just getting better every day.
“I started playing in eighth grade. I was probably about 6-1 or 6-2. I feel like it’s come a long way.”
The same could be true for the improving Mustangs.
Williams was the right-hand man Tuesday night for usual team leader Tre Watkins, scoring 13 points and grabbing six rebounds as Metea rolled 90-53 in a nonconference win at East Aurora.
Metea Valley’s Sincere Williams (33) shoots a free throw against East Aurora during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Junior forward Collin Booker came off the bench to add 10 points for Metea (10-7), which had all 14 players in uniform score.
Watkins, an athletic senior guard and Illinois-Springfield recruit, was one short of his season best with a game-high 28 points.
“We’re 4-0 in the new year and this win shows us we can keep stacking them up to get a good seed in the playoffs,” Watkins said. “We had no lulls like we often do.
“We kept our foot on the gas and kept going.”
Metea Valley’s Sincere Williams (33) shoots a baseline jumper against East Aurora’s Jason Moore (14) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Junior guard Tyrone Evans paced East Aurora (8-11) with 14 points off the bench, followed by sophomore guard Jamir Malone with 12.
It was the fifth straight loss for the Tomcats, who were directed for the ninth straight game by apparent interim coach J’Son Sanders, a former varsity assistant.
Noel DeLaMar, in his first year as East Aurora’s athletic director, wouldn’t comment to offer clarification on the status of coach Rick Robinson, saying it was a personnel matter.
Williams, meanwhile, added a pair of steals and made all five of his free throws Tuesday.
Metea Valley’s Sincere Williams (33) reacts after scoring off a foul against East Aurora during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
“Sincere was a big freshman,” Watkins said. “Hanging out with him, he’s improved so much as a person off the court and as a player. Playing with him is fun, just dumping the ball down to him.
“He like bullies people to get to the rim. Sincere never took basketball really seriously, I guess. He played outside but didn’t get serious until last summer.”
Williams is definitely serious now. He will play his second year of travel ball in the offseason.
In the meantime, Williams and 6-6 senior forward/center Marcus Wallace, who transferred back to Metea from East Aurora for this school year, share the starting spot and battle daily in practice.
“It’s been a big difference because last year we didn’t have another 6-5 with us,” Williams said. “Having him coming in is a lot of competition in practice and just helps the team get better.”
Metea coach Isaiah Davis likes how the duo is trending.
“Working together is helping them get better,” Davis said. “Sincere is getting better as the year goes on. He’s young but getting more comfortable with us.
“He has a strong body and is just a coachable kid with a high motor who plays real hard.”
Metea Valley’s Sincere Williams (33) drives to the basket against East Aurora’s Ryan Robinson (1) during a nonconference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)
Assistant coach Brian Johnson pointed to Williams’ ceiling.
“He’s on the floor a lot more and he’s gonna get it,” Johnson said. “And when it clicks and he’s older, Sincere is gonna be a load to handle in our league.”
It also helps that the team is trending well.
“We’ve won six of seven and the guys are playing well — team ball,” Davis said. “As you always say in basketball, when you make shots, you look better.
“You can say the same thing if you miss shots. People will ask, ‘What are you doing?’ But right now, we’re playing good team ball and we’ve got them jelling.”
