Kinnamon Quietly Raises His Game For Rogers Heritage

Wyatt Kinnamon of the War Eagles at free throw line against the Wildcats from Har-ber at War Eagle Arena, Rogers Heritage High Shool, Rogers, AR on January 24, 2014
Wyatt Kinnamon of the War Eagles at free throw line against the Wildcats from Har-ber at War Eagle Arena, Rogers Heritage High Shool, Rogers, AR on January 24, 2014

ROGERS - A year ago, Wyatt Kinnamon saw himself as both an assist man and defensive specialist.

Rogers Heritage boys basketball coach Tom Olsen said the dual role of primary ball-handler and scorer last year might have been a little too much for Kinnamon.

He’s found a perfect fit this year though relinquishing most of his ball-handling responsibilities, Olsen said.

“I think carrying the weight of most of the ball-handling, especially late in the season, and scoring a little bit got to be a little bit of a burden for him,” Olsen said. “With the decreased ball-handling responsibilities, I think he’s really elevated his game.

Instead, sophomore Dane Olsen handles the point guard duties this year and Kinnamon can concentrate more on his offense. That’s worked wellfor the War Eagles (12-7, 2-4 7A/6A-West), who play host to Siloam Springs tonight.

Heritage has already set a school record for wins in a season and could tie the school record for league wins in a season tonight.

Kinnamon, by his own admission, isn’t real vocal on the basketball court or off . Buthis play has done the talking lately.

“My friends call me Quiet Wyatt,” Kinnamon said with a laugh. “I’ve had that one for a while. I’m more of a ‘mind my own business and do my thing’ kind of player.”

The 5-foot-10 senior has been especially good lately. Hehas doubled his scoring average from a year ago, putting in 12.5 points per game this season.

He poured in a season-high 21 points, including three 3-pointers, in Heritage’s win over Springdale Har-Ber. Kinnamon’s 3-pointer from the corner gave the War Eagles’ the lead for good with less than two minutes left, helping Heritage snap an 18-game conference losing streak.

He also scored 15 in Tuesday’s 68-54 win over crosstown rival Rogers High. Kinnamon helped his team rally with a personal 7-2 run in the second half. He also finished the third quarter with a drive and dish to teammate Austin Prince for a layup, giving the War Eagles the lead for good.

Kinnamon said he has more confi dence, especially playing next his friend, Crist Olsen.

“There’s a connection for sure between me and Crist,” Kinnamon said. “Me, Crist and MacKenzie Sams haveplayed together since maybe first grade, I think.”

Coach Olsen also talked about meeting with Kinnamon and Crist in the spring to make sure they understood he had confidence in their abilities.

“I told them they have to be confident enough in their game to go score for us,” Olsen said. “They would have to do that at the risk of taking a questionable shot at times, knowing I’ll have a reaction as their coach. I also wanted them to know though that I really trust them and believe in their ability.”

Kinnamon has also sharpened his overall offensive game and the numbers show that.

He finished 26 of 100 from 3-pointer range last season, but he’s 26-of-84 already this season. The senior has already been to the free-throw line more this season, with nine regular-season games left, than all of last season.

“He’s hitting more mid-range stuff and getting to the foul line more,” Olsen said. “I think coaches around the conference see him as a more complete player. He defends, finds guys that are open, gets to the rim and hits the mid-range jump shot.

“He’s hit some difficult, clutch shots for us, too, and built a pretty complete basketball player.”

Kinnamon is pleased with the season to this point, but he and the other seniors are more focused on helping the team make the state tournament, which would be a fi rst in school history.

“We wanted to have a better record, but making state is our biggest goal,” Kinnamon said. “We’re more focused as a team this year. We may not have all the talent, but the way we play together helps us a lot.”

He and the War Eagles hope the recent strong play will continue to a spot in the state tournament.

PROFILE WYATT KINNAMON

SCHOOL: Rogers Heritage

HEIGHT: 5-10

WEIGHT: 157

CLASS: Senior

NOTABLE: Averaged six points

a game and started the last

10 games of his junior season.

… Has more than doubled his

scoring output this season,

averaging 12.5 points per game.

… Reached double fi gures in

scoring in four of his last fi ve

games, including season-high

21 against Springdale Har-Ber

… Already equaled his number

of made 3-point fi eld goals

(26) from last season with

nine games left in the regular

season this year.

Sports, Pages 7 on 01/31/2014

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