Knowing that there’s a Gamer already out there I get to just share my thoughts on the evening and mix in some thoughts from Coach Barnes himself.

 Every now and then I end up in the Gymnasium when Barnes is holding practice and let me tell you that his practices are why we defeated Glenvar by 17 points last night! We are never going to be the BIGGER team on the floor but as Assistant Coach Kris Richardson describes it – “We’re scrappy “. I will add physical, determined, smart and down right likable.

 We defeated Glenvar by simply wearing them down. The 3-pointers were just not falling last night but by the end of the evening the Highlanders were worn out and I think our “scrappy” team had enough fuel in the tank to play another game.

Coach Barnes checked in after the game with his thoughts on the evening :

” Hey man first thanks for announcing,we really struggled shooting in the first half, they were lights out, and also was pounding the ball inside. We withstood them and changed up on defensive, which really took them away from the rim. We started getting things going into the 3rd and Bryce taking the charge really changed tone of the game along with them looking like they were gased . Hats off too them well coached, free-throws definitely won us the game,24-25 from line Tally with some great passes and scoring, Reitzel playing thru foul trouble with 20, Bryce with a big night 27 , 11-12 from free-throws line.Richardson with 9 and some huge rebounds down stretch, proud of our guys and staying focused and maintaining.

 First, Coach it was great to get to assist you in the manner last night!

 Coach mentioned Free Throws – the Cavaliers went 15 of 15 from the line in the fourth quarter!! At the same time Glenvar struggled mightily from the line at the end at that combination created the 17 point margin.

 The example for saying they wore them down is this – 3:16 on the clock ⏰ and the score was 65-59. Using my limited Math skills that means we closed on a 13-2 run 🏃‍♂️ against a talented and well coached ball club. Glenvar was trying to get to the Finish Line of a Marathon and our groups defense coupled with their energy took a close game and made it look like a blowout.

 Here’s a live moment – As I am typing this Mama Smoot just sent in some of her shots from last night 🌙

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We still have a basket 🧺 full of the photos 📷 to share from Greg Talley but those came up at the right time.

 Let’s take a look at the individual efforts from last night 🌙…

 Bryce Smoot ( 27 points) – Bryce was getting it done on both ends of the floor the entire evening. He finished 12 of 13 from the free throw line and led the harrasing defense from start to finish. Only one 3-pointer fell during the evening but his Basketball 🏀 IQ led him to attacking the basket 🧺 and his fourth quarter AND 1 was the beginning of the end for Glenvar.

Davis Reitzel (20 points )- Davis had a very quiet start to the game as his first basket didn’t come until the second quarter but Wow, it was an impressive one! In my mind his dunk from the baseline was the shortest amount of space he’s had to take off. I believe that Allen Worrell actually captured it frame by frame. 16 of his 20 came after the break, including 6 of 6 free throws in the close out.

Jabin Talley (9 points ) – I’m not sure that just how physically fit this young man is gets enough credit. You can’t chase around a tennis ball in the manner he does and not be in the type of shape he is. I smiled when I read Anthony’s break down and his appreciation for Jabin.

Ethan Richardson ( 9 points ) – This Young man plays with a level of grace and ease that prevents folks from seeing just how hard he is working out there. Another great example of understanding the circumstances he’s in and what his teams needs.

Isaiah Easter (7 points ) – Last year I was wondering if he could get his body to the point where he could withstand the beating he would take when going to the glass. His off season efforts show just how determined this young man is.

There are your starting five and once again each one of them netted at least 7 points. The number one weapon that Barnes has at his disposal is that his team can score from all five spots on the floor.

Brayden Smoot ( 6 points ) – Brayden would start for any other team in our part of the State, no question about that at all. Sadly, High School basketball doesn’t have a sixth man of the year award because Brayden would be holding that trophy. Most Coaches hope for the best when they go into their rotation but that’s not a problem for our group.

Cody Reece – anyone that talks with me knows just how much I appreciate the efforts of this impressive young man 👨. It wasn’t an accident that Cody was the very first player I did the profile on. The level of energy that Cody plays with is amazing. His willingness to sacrifice his body under the glass just makes one want to stand up and cheer on his efforts.

 The Top 10 Reasons we defeated the Highlanders last night 🌙

10 – Anthony Barnes runs 🏃‍♂️ a program where some Coach a team.

9 - Our players are conditned to a point where no one will ever wear us down.

8 - We shoot free throws in practice and while that might sound like a small thing , it won us the game or at least created the margin.

7 – These players believe in one another and that was huge when we fell behind 12-3.

6 – We take as much pride on playing defense as we do playing offense.

5 – This group plays unselfish Basketball 🏀 and doesn’t care about who scores.

4 – The parents involved raised some pretty solid young men.

3- Anthony Barnes loves 💘 his players.

2 – Doug Reitzel keeps a mean score book 📖. Class Act.

Drum Roll being played in the background….

The number one reason we won 🏆 the game last night…..Kris Richardson

 My favorite part of being around Anthony Barnes and his program is the interaction between Barnes and Richardson.

 We still have plenty to come from a number of directions, including another Player Profile !

Thanks for Reading and for caring ❤ about Barnes and Company!

Earlier today I created a post ahead of the Three Rivers District meet held at CCHS today. I encourage people to drop back a few stories and check that out.

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In the hour I spent watching and taking notes 📝 it was obvious to me just how much everyone involved cared about the event.

This was the “A” team tonight: Connor Beasley, captain, Ashlyn Newman, co-captain, Jacob Roberts, Bradley Dalton, Garrison Wheatley, and Madison Smith Pagan.

Here is the Facebook version of the story as well.

Just another great example of dedicated Educators going beyond what is required of them. Not because they have a Nike shoe contract riding on it, its because they CARE about our youth. Anytime we see someone Caring in front of us we want to do our best to share the care ❤.

 Best of Luck on Saturday over in Bassett !

During the months and months and months that Kris Richardson and I worked on our Basketball 🏀 Book we never reached a moment where we even sniffed crossing words. We just had too much respect for each other and I was adamant about us being partners in the project.

The biggest obstacle in inviting 47 people to contribute to a project is getting the story to flow. We actually had to change editors one time because of the volume of work.

 We were constantly going through the invite list, just like Santa 🎅, we had a list and we were checking it twice. Kris mentioned a name that I wasn’t familiar with, actually two names – Bill and Linda Gallimore. Kris said that their Love for the Cavaliers ranked right up there.

The first time I realized who Bill was came when he was asking one of the Girls to autograph his copy of our Book 📖. A couple of nights later he was asking another former player and then a third time. Watching 👀 what I had thought would happen repeatedly almost brought tears 😢 to my eyes.

 Finally I asked Bill if I would ever be cool enough to get to sign his copy? I think he’s still mulling it over.

 Now, everytime I see Bill in one of the Gyms it brings a smile to my face. When we get to share a moment or two its priceless to me.

 Even last night 🌙 when I was announcing the games that his favorite teams were playing I looked up in his direction, seeking his approval. Bill gave me a big thumbs up which just fueled the fire 🔥.

Bill, I am grateful 🙏 that Kris made sure you were included in our story and for the person you are !

The number one thing I try to accomplish with my Marketing skills is use every possible opportunity to promote when the cost is Zero. A couple of examples, the very first thing I mentioned to Coach Rick Nester was telling him that the most valuable tool he had at his place was the Ceremonial First Pitch. We combined to crush that each and every night 🌙 we played at Cavalier Park. Fast forward to Cindy Edwards and Volleyball 🏐 – her most valuable tool is the baseline at the time of introductions. We used it for Mother’s Night, Father’s Night, Grandparents Night and a few other things and I would like to think it meant something to everyone that participated. Once again, cost Nadda and warms the heart ❤.

 I truly believe that the Coach at CCHS that has the hardest job in the Wrestling Coach and I was impressed my West from the get go. So today I headed up to The Hill a little early to create a send off moment for the team. I had announced their second match for them and was prepared to do their Senior Night match before it was canceled (Someone needs to add the two Wrestling Seniors to their Senior Day so they aren’t left on the outside).

 I am getting ready to share the message from Coach after the matches and then some photos 📷. None of them are going to Win any awards but it wasn’t the intention. The attention was to show them we cared

“Was a tough evening for everyone! Have to keep pushing forward and working hard! Still some goals that can be met before the season ends. “Always Forward, Never Outworked!”

Both Coach West and Coach Stockner took the time to check in after their nights 🌙 didn’t end the way they hoped. I was joking with Coach Reed and his wife the other night after the JV Boys had dropped their game. My question was are we still going to feed them when we get them home 🏡?

Yes, we want our teams to do their best but on the nights 🌙 thats not what happens, they are still on teams!