GUARD PLAY KEY FOR WC

By Troy Schulte/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Through the first 11 games of the season the Watson Chapel boys basketball team has consistently seen opponents overload its talented forward, Daniel Broughton. The junior still averages 13 points for the Wildcats, but they’ve rarely come easy.

That fact has made the play of Watson Chapel’s guards - particularly point guard Jevon Barnes - essential to its 9-2 start. And when the Wildcats host Camden Fairview tonight the play of Barnes, Kyle Piggie and Keith Ross will be no less important.

“I’m really pleased with them,” Myatt said. “I think our guards are kind of starting to realize their roles. That’s to play hard defense and be really unselfish.”

Barnes, Broughton and Ross were each in almost every starting lineup as Watson Chapel overcame a fourth place 6-A South Conference finish to advance to the state semifinals a year ago. This season, Myatt has seen the group continue to elevate.

Ross averages 10 points and Barnes averages 8, but what Myatt has been most pleased with has been their defense, an area that has improved since a 1-2 start to the season.

The Wildcats lost to Stuttgart, a team it has since beaten, and North Pulaski, in a game that Broughton made a put back at the buzzer but was called for a foul, in the season’s first month. But since that game they have won eight straight, including a 4-0 run in the Zebra Invitational last week.

And though his team has yet to play since it beat North Little Rock 74-69 in overtime to win that tournament Dec. 30, Myatt doesn’t anticipate any defensive letdown.

The catalyst for Watson Chapel’s improved play through December has been Barnes. A junior though a bit short at 5-9, he possesses almost every other trait he would like in a point guard, Myatt said.

“Jevon Barnes, he’s our heart and soul, without a doubt,” Myatt said.

Barnes doesn’t mind that he scores under double figures in most games. His main focus is creating turnovers on defense and trying to get the ball to his team’s most consistent scoring threat in Broughton.

Myatt said his 3-point shooting could improve. But of the five 3-pointers Watson Chapel made during the Zebra Invitational, Barnes hit three and most came at key times. His 3-pointer from the left wing in the fourth quarter against North Little Rock tied the game at 42 and spurred a Wildcat rally.

“I like to win,” Barnes said. “I’ll take zero points and a win anytime. If it comes to me, I’ll take it, but I like to dish it out and get everybody else involved.”

Broughton has reaped some of the benefit of Barnes’ unselfish play. If he gets double- or triple-teamed in the low post, Barnes will drive down the lane to draw attention which could provide him with an open shot.

In short, Barnes makes Broughton’s job a lot easier. “He’s a great vocal leader on the court, when I get down, he picks me up,” Broughton said. “I really do appreciate that from him.”