Some things you can’t control, like one’s NCAA men’s championship basketball bracket. Inglemoor High grad Wil Bush picked Kansas to win the title (nope), and then began rooting for Syracuse and the University of Washington (two more negatives).

But when you’re in full charge of your life, good things happen.

Bush, a 20-year-old Seattle Community College sophomore, snagged most-valuable-player honors for the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) North Division this season. He was the leading scorer in the North Division, averaging 20.25 points and 8.19 rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-3 guard is quick to credit his talented Storm teammates for setting him up for success with dead-on passes and support, which took him all the way to the NWAACC All-Star Game March 14 at Pierce College in Lakewood. He started for the North and tallied three 3-pointers and grabbed four rebounds.

“And during the summer, I worked a lot on shooting off the dribble, ballhandling,” said Bush, who drained a career-high 42 points against Green River in December. “You always work to get better, do the best you can.”

Under Inglemoor coach Greg Lowell’s tutelage, Bush earned 4A Kingco first-team honors as a senior and was an honorable mention as a junior.

“Coach Lowell’s a good coach and works a lot on fundamentals,” said Bush, speaking fondly of his Viking days. “I had a good base with fundamentals, and then you (add more) fundamentals to your game. From junior to senior year, I just progressed a lot, getting older and more mature. Each year, you grow off that.”

Bush’s Inglemoor connection is deep, as evidenced by him signing on to join former Viking teammate Todd Campbell at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego next year.

“I always loved playing with him, and it’s a good opportunity to play with him in San Diego I couldn’t pass up. Our relationship will grow,” said Bush, adding that Point Loma will mix returners with newcomers to rebuild after having a down year in 2009-2010. “I hope to contribute in a positive way next year.”

Bush, who’s interested in majoring in sociology, will soon be returning to the gym to work on more ballhandling along with invading the weight room to prepare for next season. He’s also taken a yoga class that has helped with his flexibility, movement and strength.

He noted that playing professionally is always a dream, but he said coaching and sharing his love of basketball with others is on his radar, as well.

And watching the NCAA tournament on TV helps him stay focused on hoops.

“At halftime, I go and shoot hoops. It’s always fun to watch the games, and definitely burns that fire in you,” Bush said.