By: Hunter Ferguson

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Plainview High School senior basketball player Ethan Barker, who plays both shooting guard and small forward, recently gave an interview with VYPE saying “One of my biggest role models is definitely my dad, he reminds me to work as hard and remain as positive as possible in all of my endeavors. He encourages me and supports me in all that I do and I couldn’t be more thankful for him than I am”. This season, Barker says he is “motivated by the opportunity for potential self-growth and being the best possible person I can be”.

According to him “To be successful in my sport, it has taken a lot of practice, patience,

persistence, and lots and lots of body management”. This diligence has led him to moments like “The highlight of my basketball career when we beat  Lone Grove, our rivals, my junior year in overtime on their home court. I will never forget the roar that went off after the buzzer sounded”. It’s during moments like those that Barker is happy to have “The teammate that I enjoy working against the most in practice”, Dane Dickerson. Expressing “We always push each other on both sides of the ball and try to make each other better”.

At school, Barker participates in both NHS and FCA although his favorite teacher comes from his history class. “The teacher that has had the biggest impact on my life is Mr. Tweedy, my US History teacher. He would always teach me to be grateful for all aspects and opportunities in my life” said Barker.

Something Barker regularly puts into practice, including, during this interview. Barker told VYPE that someone else who inspires him is “In practice, my coach, Deon Stevenson, always reminds us that not only are we representing our school, we’re representing our community. I’m grateful to play for such a tight-knit community because win or lose, they will still support my team and me. I have an immense amount of pride in representing my community”.