Broughton powers his way through competition

By Jeremy Muck/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Daniel Broughton held his own in a conference that features some of the top basketball players in the state of Arkansas.

In fact, the sophomore forward tore through the Class 6A like it was his own personal playground.

Broughton averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds for Watson Chapel in 2008 and has been named The Commercial’s Player of the Year for high school boys’ basketball.

Watson Chapel advanced to the semifinals of the 6A state tournament for the first time since 1999. With the emergence of the sophomore trio of Broughton, guards Jevon Barns and Keith Ross, the future looks bright for the Wildcats’ basketball program.

“Daniel always has an X on his back,” Watson Chapel head coach Danny Myatt said. “He’s been a marked man.”

There was no doubt about that statement in 2008 when it came to Broughton. Throughout the season, teams would key in on Broughton, but the 6-foot-6 forward was able to withstand the pressure and take care of business for Watson Chapel.

Broughton’s first two home games of his high school career saw him score 21 and 28 points against Texarkana and El Dorado, respectively, in early January. Those first two home games for Broughton help set the tone for the rest of the season as Watson Chapel finished fourth in the tough 6A-South Conference.

“When we got to the conference season, that’s when Daniel picked his game up,” Watson Chapel head coach Danny Myatt said. “He grew up a lot.”

Broughton has two more years of high school basketball left and Watson Chapel hopes to reap the benefits of a player who is one of the best big men in the state of Arkansas.

If his sophomore season was any indication, then Myatt and Watson Chapel has a lot to look forward to. Myatt tries to keep the 16-year old Broughton grounded. Myatt said that Broughton has to work on his ballhandling.

“He’s got to keep getting better,” Myatt said.

Spoken like a true coach.