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Fort Worth ISD boys basketball teams at Dunbar, Trimble Tech, Arlington Heights and Southwest are all talked about on a continual basis, but lost in that shuffle since 2006 is O.D. Wyatt.
After missing the playoffs from 2008-09 to 2010-11, the Chaparrals reached the second round last season. Wyatt is quietly putting together another quality season. They are 15-9 overall and 8-0 in District 7-4A after Tuesday’s victory at Aledo. The Chaps also have district victories against Tech and Heights.
“I think it's motivation to the kids that we have kind of flown under the radar a little bit,” coach Rodney MacFadden said. “It’s our goal to win district each year and we don’t enjoy being overlooked, but if you want to be recognized you have to continually beat the good teams.”
Part of the reason for the team’s success is its depth of having at least four players who average close to double figures in scoring. Leading the team in scoring are guards Kendrick Salone with 14 points per game and Andrew Nunley with 12. Byron Smith the team's 6-foot-5 junior post is adding 11 points per game and 10 rebounds per contest. Also able to add points is Deon Daniels, who has shot over 40 percent from behind the arc during district play.
“I like to be able to have a balanced offense where three or four players can score,” MacFadden said. “One goal we set at the beginning of the year was to get back to the regional tournament. We try to prepare ourselves for district and the playoffs by playing a tough non district schedule loaded with 5A teams.”
Since taking over the boys program in the 2005-06, MacFadden has led the team to a regional semifinals appearance in 2007-08, and playoff berths last season and in 2006-07.
Wyatt meets Heights on Friday and Trimble Tech on Feb. 1. Beating both again would give them the tie breaker.
“They weren’t as excited about beating Tech as I thought they would be, they were fairly even kill,” MacFadden said. “That’s what we preach though is taking it one game at a time and not get to up or down for one or that’s where you get in trouble. No doubt it was a good win for our program with the success they have had the past few years.”
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