Inside the Wildcats’ Den: Tarrant’s Championship Focus

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tarrant High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 4A Area 9&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Bayln Groom</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 21-9&nbsp;(According to maxpreps.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: tarranthoops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Players:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jay'len “Buc” Simmons</strong> (5'11/CG/'26/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: suckafreebuc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Jaylen2026_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jay'len returns as the Wildcats' leading scorer from last season and continues to be the engine that drives their offense. He is a physical and fearless guard, who attacks the rim with confidence and has the strength to finish through contact. His leadership and competitive edge sets the tone for the rest of the team, and he will once again be counted on as the go-to guy in big moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tristan Goodwin</strong> (5'9/G|F/'26/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tristan is a natural-born leader and the emotional anchor for the Wildcats, and brings composure and control to the floor. He is a defensive-minded guard with a knack for making timely plays on both ends of the floor. His ability to steady the team during tense moments and make smart decisions under pressure makes him one of the most valuable pieces in Tarrant's rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Latrell Robertson</strong> (5'7/PG/'26/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: li_.trelll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @datkidlatrell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Latrell is a high-energy floor general who thrives on effort and defensive intensity. He takes pride in locking down opposing guards and brings contagious energy to every possession. Offensively, he is a timely scorer who can change the momentum of a game with his playmaking and hustle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Role Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Leon McGhee</strong> (5'2/PG/'28/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Antonio Caldwell</strong> (6'3/F/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Darion Knox</strong> (6'3/F/'26/Tarrant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This trio embodies the heart and soul of the Wildcats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Leon McGhee plays much bigger than his size as he led the team in offensive rebounds last season and ranked second overall on the glass, and showcasing relentless effort.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Antonio Caldwell and Darion Knox bring athleticism and versatility to the frontcourt. Both are capable of impacting the game with their length, energy, and rebounding presence.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Their combined toughness and work ethic give Tarrant the interior balance needed to complement their guard play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Returning Starters:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Tristan Goodwin (G/12th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Jaylen Simmons (G/12th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>New Additions:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Antonio Caldwell</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What To Expect From The Wildcats This Season:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Expect a hard-nosed, scrappy, and selfless brand of basketball. The Wildcats take pride in playing with intensity, sacrificing for one another, and executing efficiently on both ends of the court. Every possession is earned, and this group's collective toughness is their calling card.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What Will It Take for The Wildcats To Win State?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Groom is confident in his team's potential, emphasizing that staying healthy will be the key factor in making a deep postseason run. With strong leadership, balanced scoring, and relentless effort, the Wildcats have the pieces to make noise when it matters most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->