He’s also the type that can handle this type of adversity, and become stronger because of it.

“Payton is very authentic and humble,” said his father, Gary. “We know he wouldn’t tell you that because he always says if you have to tell people that you are humble then you’re really not. … He does not like to be the center of attention, but when he is, he handles it with such great, but quiet, confidence. We couldn’t ask for a better big brother for Braylon. (Braylon, on the freshmen team at Warren) has witnessed first-hand how hard Payton works and he can see how it is paying off.”

Paying off exactly the way Payton always hoped it would. The Warren senior recently committed to play college basketball at Division III University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, beginning in the fall.

“I had multiple offers and some interest from some DII schools, too. The relationships I built with some of the coaches were awesome,” said Payton, ” (but) I wanted a smaller school and I wanted to be closer to home. It came down to Grove City College, Houghton, Behrend and Pitt-Brad. Pitt-Brad wasn’t even on my list at first, but once I visited and got to know Coach (Jesse) DeLoof, I was excited and it just felt right. They have done a lot to that campus and it’s really nice.

Submitted Photo Payton Barnes

“It was a tough decision,” Payton added. “I had to go with what felt right and go with my gut.”

Seems like only yesterday his parents were heading down to the Warren County YMCA to watch him play as a little boy on a 9-foot hoop. Now, mom and dad completely trust his “gut” instinct.

“We are so incredibly proud,” said Gary. “It’s not just about being a great basketball player, it’s about being a great person. And Payton understands that. We are proud for how hard he has worked to accomplish his goals. His work ethic will allow him to keep growing and lead to very successful things in life. We are so excited to see how the next four years go. He has a ton of potential and, as hard as he works, anything is possible for him.

“What stands out to us is how consistent he is with getting a workout in. Whether it is a workout with (his trainer) Maceo Wofford, doing dribbling drills in the garage, he always finds time no matter what’s going on. We always tell him that with his work ethic, he’ll be able to accomplish great things as he goes through life.”

High school has been a great example of that, as Payton didn’t play varsity until last season. He averaged 9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals in a 15-10 season for Coach Berdine. This season was typified by his 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in a win at DuBois. He had five of Warren’s first seven points against Oil City before his shoulder dislocated on a hustle play.

Submitted Photo Warren senior Payton Barnes plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the fall.

“The last few days have been kind of tough with my injury and then getting the news that I might not be able to play the rest of the season,” Barnes said a few days later. “I dislocated my shoulder and had to go to the ER; it wouldn’t go back in, so they had to sedate me to get it back in. Doctor says four to six weeks of therapy, then he will re-evaluate and go from there. I don’t think I can wait that long so I’ll be doing everything I can so I can to get back at it.”

It’s a statement that defines Payton Barnes.

“My parents have always taught me that hard work, patience and persistence will lead to success,” he said. “A lot of things in life don’t always go the way you want them to, but I believe if you do those three things and stay positive, then it’ll always work out.”

As tough as this will be, he will do everything in his power to avoid getting discouraged, starting with physical therapy, and thinking of a business/finance course of study at Pitt-Bradford.

“It’s been a strange year for everyone,” said Barnes. “I try to stay positive and have fun. Our first two games were against really solid teams and we are now riding a nice … win streak. My goal for this year is to be a good mentor for the younger players and win a region title for Coach Berdine and the school.”

It’s appropriate to say “goals” inspire Barnes’ work ethic.

“I would say I started having goals in seventh grade, smaller goals like being a starter and then starting every game,” he said. “After my eighth-grade season is when I realized I had a love for the game and became a little obsessed with it. It’s when I started to make bigger goals. Some of those goals included being a starter on varsity, being a captain/leader on varsity and my ultimate goal of playing in college.

“The summer before my freshman year, I had the opportunity to work out with Maceo Wofford and to join his AAU program,” Barnes added. “The only way I could do that was to give up baseball, which I enjoyed playing, but I knew if I wanted to reach my ultimate goal of playing in college, I’d have to make some sacrifices. Basketball is a sport you can play year-round and that’s what I wanted to do.

“Honestly, I would have to say I never had any doubts,” he said. “I knew if I just put the time in and with all the support I had, anything was possible.”

Now on the shelf with an injury, Barnes is as motivated as ever. The cliche is probably something like, “Champing at the bit.”

“I have several goals, but some are: To lead the (college) team with highest GPA; start as a freshman; compete for an AMCC championship, and; like Coach DeLoof says, improve day to day, week to week, and year to year.”

Who has been filling his head with all this positivity?

“My biggest inspiration and motivation has definitely been my parents (Gary and Cindy),” said Payton. “They are always there to support me no matter what I’m doing. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today if it wasn’t for them.

“Maceo Wofford has been a huge part of my success,” he added. “He has always believed in me and pushes me to bring out the best in me, not only as a basketball player but as a person, too. I would also say Coach Berdine; being the varsity coach, I always looked up to him and wanted to be a starter and leader on his team.”

Ultimately, Barnes is always looking ahead, trying to be a better person today than he was yesterday.

“I have had the opportunity to work with Payton since he was in fifth grade,” said Coach Berdine. “Travel, AAU and now high school, and he has taken advantage of every opportunity that he’s had to get in the gym and work with people that he felt could help him to get his game to the next level. The last several years he’s traveled to a lot of showcases, giving himself a lot of opportunities to showcase skills and his abilities to the different coaches around the area colleges.

“I think he’s made a good decision with Pitt-Bradford,” said Berdine. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with and compete against Coach DeLoof (former Youngsville head coach), and I think Jesse will get a lot out of him and continue to develop Payton’s skill levels. Just like any of the kids I’ve worked with as they have matured into young men, they begin to understand what coaches want and expect from them. I think each year he has grown to understand more of what I wanted his role to be and he’s developed himself into a very skilled and well-rounded player for our program. Any time there was an opportunity to put the extra work in or get games in, Payton has always made himself available. I am also excited that he’s chose the school that is as close as Pitt-Bradford so I can hopefully get some opportunities to see him play.”

Five, 10, 15 years from now, when basketball is over?

“We’re sure he’ll still be setting goals and working hard at whatever he’s doing,” said Gary. “We can see him staying somewhat close to home because he really enjoys being around family.”