From crowd-captivating blocks to rim-rupturing dunks, senior forward Donnie Barfield Jr.’s athleticism was the catalyst for a major midseason upset on the road against #1 ranked Lincoln Southwest. With mere minutes off the clock in the first quarter amidst a 7-0 Warriors run to start the game, London Dada launched a three pointer, which bounced off the front of the rim, leading Barfield Jr. to lunge at a go ahead put-back dunk. He slammed the ball through the net, yanking the rim on the follow through and snapping the back of it off pure ferocity.
“I just saw the ball coming my way and went to go make a play,” Barfield Jr. said. “I didn’t expect it to snap the way it did, and I heard it but it looked fine and no one stopped so I just kept playing.”
Despite the loud clank, no players noticed the snapped rim amidst the action, as Westside would garner another defensive stop. Emre Gedik brought the ball back down the court one more time, scoring an and-one finish before lining up for his free throw and noticing the compromised rim.
“I’m surprised no one noticed it broke at first,” Gedik stated after the game. “and even more shocked that I managed to score with it like that.”
Lincoln Southwest’s administration proceeded to send a crew to replace the rim, with the entire operation delaying the first quarter by thirty minutes. Both teams warmed up and resumed play shortly after, and despite the break, Barfield Jr. showed no signs of slowing down. It was a tight contest throughout all four quarters, with Westside initially pulling away before a claw back from the Silver Hawks. Southwest’s twin back court duo of Uzziah and Makkiah Sanders were sniping in unison with junior guard Dakari Wilson, all of which hitting deep range three pointers to keep their squad in the game. Their run was capped off with multiple big plays on both ends of the floor by junior forward Shaqkobi Kerr, tacking on one last three pointer to bring the Warriors within striking distance. Despite the comeback, Barfield Jr. would make the plays needed to ensure victory when it mattered most, coming in clutch with multiple late baskets to pull ahead one final time.
He went on to rack up 17 points, 6 rebounds, and multiple blocks whilst leading the team throughout a tumultuous, competitive atmosphere. His stifling interior defense and momentum shifting plays were capped off with a steal and run to the rim as the clock expired, solidifying the Warriors’s 68-63 upset win.
“I wanted to dunk it in the last couple seconds but I jumped from too far out,” Barfield Jr. explained. “I kind of just chucked it at the rim, but it sent the message I was looking to send.”
The Warriors continue their trek towards state champion glory throughout their toughest stretch of schedule all season, with their next contest coming Saturday, January 24th against the Millard South Patriots at home.
