Kinston's Radiya Barnes Signs with Warren Wilson College
KINSTON, N.C. — Radiya Barnes, a standout player from Kinston High School's girls basketball team, has committed to Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Known for her leadership, toughness, and lockdown defense, Barnes has been a pivotal player for Kinston.
Kinston head coach Chris Bradshaw praised Barnes, saying, "Warren Wilson is getting a hardworking, no-quit young lady who thrives on making an impact on the defensive end."
Barnes expressed her excitement about the next chapter of her basketball journey. "I am really excited to be going to the next level. I'm excited that I was able to get here after going through a lot of things. I'm just ready to go show what I got," she said. Reflecting on her senior year, she added, "I had to fight extremely hard through obstacles, but I fought back to get to where I am now."
Barnes also credited her teammates for their support during challenging times. "My teammates helped me the most through my hardest times. My coaches and my school were also there for me, but my teammates brought me back from something I didn’t think I could be brought back from," she shared.
Coach Bradshaw, who has coached Barnes for the past four years, spoke highly of her dedication and growth. "I have been blessed to coach her for the last four years. She has been great for this program. Everything I asked her to do, she did. She got better every year and always strived to be great," he said.
Barnes' journey to collegiate basketball is a testament to her resilience and determination, and her future at Warren Wilson College looks promising.
Attention all local sports enthusiasts! Do you have insider information on your favorite local sports team? Submit to The Score below and let our team of experts bring it to life. Don't miss out on the chance to share what happened at your local sporting event - submit now and become part of the story!
Neuse News Sports is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to cover all schools, all sports, and all athletes in Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties.
We provide this free sports news by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local sports news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News Sports with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.