"Best of the Beach? Don't Ask Richard Barbee"
Producers for "Saturday Morning With the Gameday Guys" on ESPN Radio 1310 tried to bring Salem forward Richard Barbee on the air for three straight weeks. One of the region's top players; averaging over 20 points a game this season, the 6' 3" senior is young man with his priorities in line.
In an era of the me-first athlete clamoring for headlines, it is refreshing to meet a star athlete with his head on straight. The first week he was asked to do the show Barbee was unable to do so because he was working at his part-time job. The next week, he was at a family breakfast; the show would just have to wait. When he finally did make an appearance, Barbee was all about the team and their play-off chances. Humble and articulate off the court, he is dominant and deliberate on it; and the fate of the Sundevil's season rest squarely on his shoulders.
"He is a very hard worker, both during the season and during the off-season." Those are the first words out of the mouth of Salem head coach Bill Cochrane when asked about his star forward.
As the talk turns to his prowess as a basketball player, the compliments are just as strong.
"Richard is a natural scorer. He has good instincts when it comes to finding the openings and seams in the defense. He is strong, and he uses his body well."
Cochrane has been coaching the Sundevils since the school opened, and he knows he has a special talent on his hands. Barbee has been with Salem all four years of his high school career; playing some as a sophomore before starting last season and leading the team with a 15 points per game average. Cochrane has been impressed with his progression both physically and mentally.
"He has increased his knowledge, and learned how to apply the game plan on the court. He has the maturity, strength, and mental toughness it takes to succeed. He is a great cutter, good around the basket; a great over-all scoring."
Cochrane concludes by pointing out his improved three-point shot and intermediate jumper that have made him almost impossible to stop. And as far as Barbee's reaction to his status as one of the area's best players, he just passes on the praise to his coach.
"I just thank my coach for teaching me so much about life, on and off the court."
Barbee is an intelligent player who always seems to make the right decisions on the court. The subject of constant double and triple teams, he is adept at getting his teammates involved. As for his take on the season he's having? It's all about the team.
"I just want to win. That's just something about me. This team can make a run in the playoffs. It's my senior year. I want to go out with a bang."
A 1st-team All-Beach District player last season, he will certainly repeat again this year. He was the Most Valuable Player of the Cape Henry tournament last year, and the Most Outstanding Player at a Florida tournament this past December; leading the Sundevils to the tournament championship against some of the top competition in that state.
After high school, he will certainly be playing at the collegiate level, and plans on focusing on either business or communications. Virginia State, North Carolina Central, and Virginia Wesleyan have gained his interest. For now, he is focused on the season at hand, and while he will keep talking the team game, opponents know that number 15 is the guy they have to stop.
