By Scott Wilson | Sports Editor
swilson@crossville-chronicle.com
Mason Wyatt has known he’s wanted to coach basketball since he can remember playing. He loves the game and he loves teaching it.
Wyatt, who was a standout at Cumberland County High School, is coming back home to run the first-ever CCMS boys basketball program.
“I have always wanted to coach, probably since I was in middle school,” said Wyatt. “After seeing the things [then] coach [Randy] Herring did when he coached me in middle school, the things he did to prepare us for high school, I just want to do that as well for kids.
“So, when [new CCHS boys] coach [Christian] Goodwin reached out to me about the job, I was interested for sure. I know there are some people for middle school basketball and there are some people against it. I think middle school basketball will be a really good development arm for the high school.”
Wyatt graduated from CCHS in 2020. He attended Roane State Community College and coached at South Cumberland Elementary School. He is currently a student at Tennessee Tech University.
Wyatt, who is still in the process of tryouts, said his team is going to play an exciting brand of basketball, with a fast pace on both ends of the court.
“We are going to run a lot. I really like up tempo, fast-paced games,” Wyatt said. “I believe the best way to beat a defense is to beat them down the court.
“We will be defensive minded, whether that be man-to-man or zone. You can’t win unless you score more than the other team. We will play quick, and be aggressive on defensive.”
Wyatt said there will be another tryout for the middle school team in August. He said he hopes everyone interested will come out to join the squad.
“I don’t mind if players that have never picked up a basketball before come out for the team. Basketball is something you can teach,” Wyatt said. “If you will give me your full effort all the time, follow directions, communicate, be a good teammate, we will be fine. If you will play hard for me, that’s all I ask for.”
And communication is big in Wyatt’s program. He wants parents to know they play a big role in the team’s success.
Wyatt said even though this is the first year of the program, the CCMS Jets will be expecting success.
“First and foremost, we want to get better every day,” the coach said. “We want to prepare those kids to go up to the high school and contribute as freshmen. We want to teach fundamentals. After that, everyone wants to win.”