Photos submitted to Times Observer Warren Area High School senior Braylon Barnes has signed to play college basketball at LaRoche University beginning this fall.

By JON SITLER

sports@timesobserver.com

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty.”

Not sure Teddy was referring to sports, but it might as well have been Braylon Barnes talking about basketball.

“After I got out and played more around better talent, I just loved the culture of basketball and the people I’ve met along the journey,” said the Warren Area High School senior. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but that’s what made me work harder to have the opportunity to play at the next level.”

Barnes recently signed to play Division III basketball at LaRoche University in Pittsburgh, beginning this fall.

“I feel great that the decision is made, and knowing that I don’t have that hanging over my head is a great feeling,” said Barnes. “At the same time, I know that my job isn’t over — I still have goals I want to accomplish, including to win the region and a D10 title.”

Barnes is a two-year starter for the 12-3 Dragons. He averages 16 points a game playing with most of the same players he’s been teammates with since the third grade. “Braylon’s worked hard the last several years to make himself a better player,” said Warren head coach Jeff Berdine. “Individual workouts, lifting, traveling to different events for one purpose — fulfilling his dream to play college basketball. I couldn’t be happier that he feels like he found a good match for himself at LaRoche. He’s shown a lot of maturity since his sophomore year. Each year he has stepped up his level of commitment to being a better teammate and improving his leadership skills. I am excited to see how much he improves while competing at the college level.”

Some of his earliest memories include “playing for the Warren Bombers (travel basketball team) while Tim Nyquist coached me,” he said. “Tim was one of my favorite coaches growing up. He was always challenging me and is a great coach, which helped develop the love I have for the game today. Also, I have a lot of great memories playing on Western New York Select with my close friends.

“Every day involves hoops,” said Barnes. “I’m either watching, playing, or taking care of my body for basketball.”

In middle school, Barnes got injured playing football, and he decided basketball was his future.

“I fell in love with the game more as I started playing more,” he said. “When I got out of Warren and got more serious with basketball, I started playing against a lot more talented kids in the city areas. When I played for Dribble Kings, located in Jamestown, New York, I started to compete more and more over the years. After three years playing for them, I got selected to play for Outwork Select on a Nike-sponsored team, located in Cleveland, Ohio. When I started to compete at that level of talent, I knew I had the ability to play at the next level. I never cared about what level of college basketball I played at; I just wanted to play.

“This sport isn’t easy no matter where you go,” added Barnes. “It is a very tough sport to go anywhere for, and I don’t think many people realize that. Not many people get the opportunity to play at the college level. When I was younger, I always thought I could just go play basketball in college and I didn’t have to do much to play at the next level. … As I got older, I went to go watch my brother play at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and over time, I couldn’t believe the talent I saw there. There were kids from all over the country playing on that team. After I watched that for a couple years, I figured out that it wasn’t so easy to just go anywhere for basketball. If it was easy, then lots of people would go to college for basketball, but they don’t.”

Of course, he’s had doubts.

“I have had many problems with my body, but I always knew my potential was there so I never stopped working on my game and working to become a better athlete,” Braylon said. “Tony Tridico is the person who helped me with those issues when things became a problem. He has never failed to help me improve on things that have caused me issues.”

Barnes appreciates everything everyone has done for him; he’s a student of the game with many teachers.

“My dad, Tony Tridico, Maceo Wofford, and Darin Butts have always been my biggest mentors and influencers,” said Barnes. “My dad (Gary) has always had high expectations for me on and off the court. He is always there, no matter what. He has guided me on the right path in hard situations no matter what was going on. He has always been willing to go out of his way to help give me the best opportunities, not only with playing at the next level, but in life in general.

“Tony Tridico was a football player at Arkansas University, state director in Pennsylvania for strength and conditioning, and strength and conditioning coach at Boise State University,” said Barnes. “He has been instrumental with shaping my personal, physical, and mental growth. He is not only my strength trainer, but he has helped me through a lot. The knowledge that he has with strength training is unbelievable and he is there to help me navigate through tough situations. Tony has been an awesome role model, mentor. He has helped shape my body and mind to become a better athlete and not a body builder. If I never met Tony, I am not sure if I would be in the situation I’m in now to play college basketball. He plays one of the biggest roles in my life as far as him helping me be a better basketball player.

“Maceo Wofford played at Iona University and 26th all-time in (high school) points in the state of New York,” Braylon said. “He has been a big part of my growth for the last eight years. I have trained with Maceo and played for him. He has taught me how to be a competitor. He has impacted my life mentally and physically and pushed me beyond my limits. He has taught me what hard work, dedication, and perseverance can get you in life.

“Darin Butts has been my coach for AAU and I have been close with him for about five years,” said Barnes. “Darin has always seen my full potential to play at the next level. The way he coached me helped me get better and have more confidence with the game. Darin played at Alfred State.

“People that played a big role in my basketball career were Lisa LaVan, Danny Zuchak, Ben Draper, Raymond Yates, and Charlie Thomas,” said Barnes. “Lisa LaVan always went out of her way to help me with basketball, including opening the gym up so I could get workouts in, even if it was early in the morning. Lisa played at the University of Penn State Behrend.

“Danny Zuchak was the director of the Outwork Select basketball team, and is now a college coach,” said Braylon. “He helped me become a better player and helped get my name out there to college coaches. (He) played at the University of Finlandia.

“Ben Draper is the one who saw the most potential in me and was the assistant on Outwork Select,” said Barnes. “(He) played at Ohio Northern University.

“Raymond Yates was my head coach for Outwork Select,” he said. “He helped get me noticed and is a very good coach. He never let me down and saw full potential in me. (He) played at Kentucky Wesleyan.

“Charlie Thomas now trains WNBA players and NBA players,” said Barnes. “He helped me email coaches and helped break down my film and look at things I needed to work on. Charlie Thomas played professionally overseas and at Grove City College.”

It takes a village, and Braylon is perfectly fine with that.

“I couldn’t thank these people enough,” he said. “I am forever grateful. … I want to thank my parents, brother, my teammates and everyone that has helped me along the way. I want to also thank Jeff Berdine and Jeff Eaton for coaching me at the high school level.”

His parents and brother have helped him stay patient, “and find a school that I really like, not to rush anything and not worry about what level I play at because, in the end, it’s not just about basketball,” said Braylon, who will study business management and entrepreneurship.

“I love spending time with my family and friends,” said Braylon when asked to describe himself. “I love fashion and music. I am a very loyal and hardworking person.”

As far as the player the LaRoche RedHawks are getting, Braylon is “a very competitive player who can attack the rim very well and can shoot the three very well,” he said. “A player who loves to get out and run in transition; I love to play the game fast.

“I visited many schools and LaRoche really stood out to me,” he said. “I was interested in a smaller school close to a city with a winning tradition. The campus is small and I just felt comfortable there on my very first visit. The coaching staff at LaRoche is amazing; the head coach sees a lot of potential in me, and I felt a connection with the whole coaching staff.”

A 6-foot-2 guard, Barnes made other visits (Waynesburg, Bethany College, Alfred University, and Hilbert College) and had other options. His parents, Gary and Cindy, are confident he made the right decision.

“We believe that having good influential people, such as teachers, coaches, trainers, etc., play a crucial role in shaping good character and values,” said Gary, “and we certainly have been blessed with positive role models and mentors throughout Braylon’s childhood; also, a great older brother, Payton, who has been there to support him along the way. This has led Braylon to be a great leader, great teammate, and most importantly, an all-around great person. We have always had confidence in him and his decisions, and feel great about his choice to attend LaRoche.

“He pretty much knew exactly what he was looking for in a school,” said his father. “We just told him to take his time, and we would visit as many schools as we could. He was interested in a small campus, close to a city, good business program, and a basketball program that has a winning reputation and great facilities.

“We are very proud of Braylon and the work ethic he has developed over the years,” said Gary. “With his continued dedication and perseverance, we are confident that he will be able to accomplish anything he puts his mind to. We’re very excited and look forward to this next chapter for Bray.”