Name: Bashar Nabulsi

Grade: Junior

Parents/Siblings: Kim and Basam Nabulsi; Brother, Rahman (21)

Other Sports/Activities: Basketball, weight-lifting.

A baseball team needs to be strong up the middle and with shortstop Bashar Nabulsi, pictured at right, the Wilton Warriors have a pillar of strength. In addition to his duties manning the hole on the left side of the Wilton baseball infield, Nabulsi is also a starting guard on the Warriors boys basketball team during the winter months. Athletic and heady, Nabulsi is a part of two up-and-coming Wilton teams. Earlier this week, he took time out of his schedule before a game against Brien McMahon to go "On the Record" with the Wilton Villager.

Wilton Villager: What's the best thing about your school?

Bashar Nabulsi: Probably the people. I like being with my friends and my girlfriend, Chelsea.

WV: If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?

BN: Being able to sit in the hallways during free periods.

WV: What is your career highlight at this point?

BN: I think it was scoring the game-winning run in the game against Norwalk High School (a 4-3 win) in extra innings.

WV: If you could turn the double play with anybody, who would it be?

BN: I'd have to go with (current Wilton second baseman) Aaron Shapiro.

WV: Bashar Nabulsi isn't your typical Wilton family name. What's your family's background?

BN: My grandfather is from Syria. It's an Arabic name and it means "good news."

WV: How'd you end up playing baseball in a town that loves its lacrosse so much?

BN: My parents gave me a shot at playing lacrosse, but I just never really enjoyed it. So they let me play baseball.

WV: You also play basketball for the Warriors. What's the future of that program like?

BN: It's a bright future for next year. We have a lot of young guys with a lot of potential.

WV: What's your perfect breakfast?

BN: Just some Honey Bunches of Oats cereal.

WV: What's your favorite Web site?

BN: Myspace. That's sort of a joke.

WV: What's the one thing everybody knows about you?

BN: I think that everybody knows that I like sports and am a very competitive person.

WV: What's something that nobody knows about you?

BN: Some people may know, but I love kittens. I have two cats, Felix and Callie.

WV: What scares you more than anything else in this world?

BN: I don't have any fears.

WV: If you could go back in time and witness anything in history, what would it be?

BN: The Ridgefield basketball game. It was in overtime (a 52-47 Wilton win) and it was just awesome.

WV: What's your favorite inspirational saying?

BN: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.