D’Nara Barton had to wait for her opportunity to play college basketball, but her opportunity came calling as she signed with Holmes Community College.
Barton is excited for her opportunity to play college ball. She is likely going to play small forward, which Lake coach Maurice Bowie said is her natural playing position.
“Yeah, it means a lot, cause I’ve been waiting a long time,” Barton said. “This has been my dream to commit somewhere, so I finally got it.”
Barton was one of the key players on Lake’s 2A State Championship team this year.
“That means a lot cause a lot of people were like we aren’t going to win this and that,” Barton said. “We just had to show that we not the same team we used to be. We had to prove them wrong, and we won one.”
Bowie said Barton appeared to be only an offensive player when he first came to Lake.
“She played with her back to the basket a lot, and over the years, she stretched being able to shoot the three ball a little bit better,” Bowie said. “She’s been able to guard people a lot more. So she’s grown a lot over the years. And so I think she’s got a roof that’s still building. So she’s going to have a chance to definitely expand a game a lot more in college because now she’s got to. And it’s only going to make her a better player in college.”
Bowie said Holmes is getting a great all-around player.
“They’re getting a dynamic defensive player and can guard one through five,” Bowie said. “They’re going get someone who can score. They can stretch the floor for the big person. She does a great job of busting it, intensely defensively. So they’re getting a key ingredient to their team especially on the defensive end and building on the tradition.”
Barton credits Bowie with helping her get an opportunity to play college ball.
“Oh, he helped me a lot,” Barton said. “And they made me see the reality of basketball for college. So I know when I go to college, I have a taste of it. So I’d be good at it.”
She also wants to thank all of the family and friends who have supported her.
“They’ve been supporting me a lot,” Barton said. “That’s what everybody needs — support from them being around me. I knew I was good and everything. And I’m thankful.”
Barton, the daughter of April Harris and the granddaughter of Scott Harris, plans to study childhood development so that she can own her own daycare center
