The hardwood is Collin Okoniewski’s best friend. Literally.

“He’s always on the floor,” Wilson coach Brett Sippel said of his senior captain.

Okoniewski doesn’t know it any other way. When he transferred from St. Peter’s of Lewiston to Wilson as a freshman, Okoniewski learned a valuable lesson that has stuck with him throughout his high school career.

“I faced a big challenge with the level of competition being so much better, but coach Sippel and (JV) coach (Scott) Benton always stressed how important the hustle plays were,” Okoniewski recalled recently. “Taking charges, diving on loose balls … the dirty work gets you playing time.”

It also gets you some bumps and bruises as Okoniewski learned when former Akron big man J.C. Tretter fell on him during a scrum for a loose ball last season.

“That hurt — but only for a second,” he said with a laugh.

In truth, Okoniewski enjoys the contact.

“I’ve developed the mindset where I’m not at all afraid to step in and take (contact),” he said. “I think it shows that you’re willing to do anything to help your teammates.”

This past offseason with the knowledge that he would be the tallest player on the Lakemen roster at 6-foot-4, Okoniewski made it a priority to improve his offensive game. He worked extensively on his post moves and has really developed a liking for a the pick and roll.

During last week’s win over rival Newfane, Okoniewski tied a career-high with 22 points. Several of those came on post moves, but the vast majority of them came in transition, an area where he excels, according to Sippel.

“He always runs the floor hard every single trip,” the coach said. “At least half of his points come on rim runs.”

Okoniewski added, “I take pride in beating people down the floor.”

He also takes pride in winning games, something the Lakemen have done a lot of over the past couple seasons. Wilson is currently 11-1 in the Niagara-Orleans League and tied for first with Medina. The two teams meet at 7 p.m. today at the Zipp Gymnasium. The Mustangs won the previous meeting on their home floor.

“They shot the lights out last time and we still have that image in our minds,” Okoniewski said. “We can’t mess around this time. We have to play a lot of defense and have a total team effort. It’s do or die time.”

That said, Okoniewski realizes that there are bigger goals ahead for the Lakemen. After losing in the Class B-2 semifinals a year ago, Wilson hopes to get back to the title game for the first time since 2008 next month at Buffalo State College.

Okoniewski plans to play soccer at either Cortland State or Nazareth next fall. He will study history education and political science.

“He’s such a well-rounded kid,” Sippel said. “He plays soccer and basketball, has excellent grades and always is volunteering with different activities. He’s a great role model for younger kids in this school and this program.”