FWB's Barnes signs with Jacksonville State

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - There were plenty of reasons why John Barnes wanted to begin his collegiate basketball career at Okaloosa-Walton College.

But when Division I Jacksonville State University entered the picture, the Fort Walton Beach star point guard could list numerous advantages to going that direction as well.

Ultimately, OWC coach Bruce Stewart offered Barnes the most helpful advice, saying, "The reason you go to junior college is to earn a Division I scholarship. If you can go to D-I out of high school, I think you should take it."

Barnes took those words to heart and signed with Jacksonville State, which started showing strong interest in him just days after he signed with OWC.

"Getting the offer late in the year after I already signed, I was surprised," Barnes said.

Signing with OWC, which is one of the nation's top juco programs and churns out Division I players, may have had something to do with that. But Jacksonville State also must have learned about the talents of Barnes, who was the Daily News' Player of the Year as a junior.   

Barnes, a first-team All-Area selection the last two years, averaged 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals. He was the MVP of the Freedom All-Star Classic after registering 19 points.

"John is the type of kid who worked himself so hard to get in this position in the classroom and on the court," Fort Walton Beach coach John Lavin said. "John's worked for this his whole career at Fort Walton Beach. I'm glad to see him get this opportunity. He's found a good fit."

Barnes said Jacksonville State has two point guards who will be seniors, but he could see immediate playing time after being told the position was up for grabs. The Gamecocks are coming off a 7-22 season, including 5-15 in the Ohio Valley Conference, and have a new coach in James Green.

Barnes said he'll arrive at Jacksonville State in July for a summer session.

"Now all I have to worry about is graduation," he said. "It's the last thing I've got to do."