The basketball season has ended for FWCD, and the freshman team has excelled. The freshman basketball team, led by assistant varsity men’s basketball coach Aaron Slayton, holds a record of 9-2 led by Coach Slayton, who is an assistant coach on varsity boys’ basketball for Fort Worth Country Day. Ryan Thomas, known as Coach T, helps out with the freshman team when Coach Slayden is not there.
The team started their season off hot with three straight wins; the biggest win was against North Side High School, 56-32. The freshman team got second in their first tournament. The team’s final record was 10-7 in their season.
There are 12 players and two managers on the team. The starting lineup was Chase Hatfield, James Hanson, Max Kuperman, Jack Rodgers, and Jack Piwetz. The starting lineup rotates, but this is the most consistent starting group. The two captains on the team are Hatfield and Hanson.
“The team can improve by boxing out, hustling on defense, and taking the ball to the rim,” Rodgers said.
The team has averaged over 52 points per game while only allowing 41 points per game for the 11 games this season. The most the freshman won was 24 points against North Side High School, which won them 2nd in their tournament. The leading scorer for the team is Hanson, who also played on the JV team. James has also been great on defense for the team. Kuperman was a sniper from the three-point line this year, averaging two three-pointers per game. Sam Jones was a great defensive player this season, according to his teammates. Rodgers and Piwetz were great at rebounding for the team.
“It feels normal because we have also played together,” Max Kuperman ’28 said.
The freshman team had a set of twins: Liam and Max Kuperman. The Kuperman boys have been playing basketball together since they started playing the sport. Max is good at defense, frequently getting steals during the games, and Liam is one of the best shooters on the team. Their teammates say they have a special connection on the court.
“They have mind-reading brains on the court together,” Rodgers said.
“I love playing basketball with him, he is a great facilitator and makes good passes to teammates,” Liam Kuperman ’28 said.
