De Smet Jesuit Still Alive In State Sectionals Thanks To Barton's Backcourt Play

In almost every sport and on every opposing team, there's a player that gets under your skin. The kind of player who grates on you with a combination of guts, grit and talent, who drives you crazy. You hate him (or her), but if you're being honest, you'd love that player if they wore your team's jersey.

He didn't exactly buy into the characterization when he was presented with it last month, but Jimmy Barton may have filled that bill this season for the De Smet Jesuit Spartans.

Barton, the slick ballhandling senior point guard, isn't afraid to play tight defense on opposing guards and mix it up a little at times when games get "chippy." But he's no slouch when it comes to offense.

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When forward Nolan Berry missed the early portion of the season while recovering from a pair of broken arms, Barton played a key role in picking up the scoring slack, averaging 14 points per game and a remarkable 44 percent from three point range. He went over the 1,000 career point mark in a win this season against Troy en route to snagging co-player of the year honors in the Metro Catholic Conference.

He’s worked so hard at his game, you know he’s known for his ability to pass but his capability of scoring shows up…a thousand for his career, he’s 600 and some-odd assists in his career, although he joked to me the other day, he said I’ve got to be the all time leader in turnovers at De Smet as well," Head Coach Kevin Poelker said after the team defeated CBC on the road to finish the regular season. Poelker also praised Barton's ability to play a full 32 minutes against an athletic CBC lineup in the Spartans' district title win against the Cadets.

Barton is matter-of-fact when it comes to what got him to this point. 

"Hard work, I’m in the gym every morning, I shoot before practice, a lot of gym time,' he said. 

Barton and his teammates will look to keep the team's state title hopes alive Wednesday night in state sectional play against Eureka. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. A win would set the Spartans up for a third shot at conference rival Chaminade if the Red Devils also take care of business Wednesday against Jackson.