If not for his love of basketball, D'Michael Bellfield might be a college football player now.

"I was talking to a couple of colleges, and I'm pretty sure I could have played football in college," said the Weatherford College Coyotes' freshman post player. "I just have a different love for basketball—even looking forward to practice."

Bellfield played offensive tackle, tight end and defensive end while in high school. It was after he moved across town from Palestine Westwood to Palestine High as a senior, however, that he turned his focus to basketball. It landed him a spot on the Coyotes' roster, but there was still something else to do to help him progress as a player even more.

For his time in football, Bellfield said weighing 290 pounds and standing 6-feet-8-inches was a good thing. However, he decided to drop 20 pounds his freshman year in college, and he said he can tell the difference.

"College is a lot different from high school. It's more about running the floor, a lot more fast-paced," he said. "I'm way more conditioned than I was in high school, and I credit my coaches a lot for that as well. They pushed me to be a better me, and I'm thankful."

Coyotes head coach Mark Osina said Bellfield's decision to slim down and improve his conditioning shows his dedication to the game, himself and his team.

"We told him some things others did, but he just did it on his own. He was determined," Osina said. "It's paying off for him. He realizes that.

"Scouts like him. He can definitely play at a higher level."

Which is what Bellfield wants to do. He came to Weatherford College with enough college credits from dual studies that he is academically a sophomore this year. Athletically, though, he is a freshman.

"Wherever the road takes me, that's where I'll go," Bellfield said. "I do love it here, though."

Bellfield said his time in football helped him become a better basketball player.

"It made me more physical, more of an athlete," he said.

"He has good footwork and good hands," Coyotes assistant coach Chris Lewis said. "His footwork in the post helps him a lot. He can catch the ball well and make some nice moves."

Bellfield also played tennis all four years of high school, advancing to regional competition three consecutive years. He said that experience helps with his hand-eye coordination.

"I still play occasionally for fun and when I go home," he said.

Wherever he goes after his time as a Coyote, he's looking at more than basketball. He is studying chemical engineering and is a member of the National Honor Society. When basketball is through, he plans to become a petroleum engineer.

"I do want to play at a higher level, but I want them to have a good engineering program," he said.

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by Rick Mauch