“Ping!” is the sound of the email notification Barstow basketball players received in their inbox in February of last year. The players, reading the subject of the email, “State Tournament Cancellation,” had their hearts pause for a brief moment. The previous Friday, the team had beaten Richmond High School, which would have sent them to the State Championship in Springfield, Missouri. Unfortunately, in the coming days, a team member came in close contact with somebody diagnosed with Covid-19. The team would not be able to play the tournament, and was forced to disqualify.
Despite the team’s bad luck, Emmett Pearce ‘22 says that ending did not define their season, “All of us were obviously extremely frustrated with how everything played out as far as the end of the season, but we all also understood that it did not make our path to the state tournament any less special. Also, at the end of the day all of us have these great memories of winning tough games in the playoffs to carry with us the rest of our lives.”
Carter Michaelis ‘22 added, “I was sort of speechless last year when we found out we were not allowed to play, but I still cherish last season as very special. We didn’t do so well during the regular season, and oftentimes it can be hard to feel motivated for the playoffs when the season goes that well. But, we all stuck to our hard work and dedication and it paid off. I think that regardless of whether or not we were able to play, we are living proof that hard work does pay off one way or another.“
Pearce ‘22, is very hopeful about the team’s chances this year, “I am feeling very good about this coming season, and especially about our new coach: Coach Doug.”
Doug Burnett comes to Barstow as an experienced coach. He has coached various teams around Missouri, including as the Head Basketball Coach at Odessa High School. When asked about this new position, Burnett expressed his excitement about a new opportunity, “Yeah I am really really excited about being here at Barstow. I was brought in as Head Basketball Coach, but also as a Middle School Math Teacher, which I also have a passion for. My main goal in both my classroom and on my team is just to leave a lasting lesson that my kids can take forward in their lives. Barstow has a great basketball program, and I can’t wait to get to work with my players to try and build on their success last year.”
The team has been working diligently to improve their game over the offseason, with large groups of players getting into the gym before school. The team has also started pre-season workouts, with strength and conditioning training happening 3 or 4 times a week after school. Team practice officially starts at the beginning of November, and then games will follow suit in December or late November.
