WEST FORK — Especially when the veins in Barton’s neck bulge out as he shouts at his players during a game.
Watching Greenland’s girls basketball coach call out plays, offer words of encouragement and try to keep his cool from his seat on the bench is pure entertainment. It’s a show within the game. His passion is hard to miss, especially since most of what he says during a timeout can be heard throughout the gymnasium.
There’s something endearing about a coach who greets people by saying, “Hey, baby!” in a Dick Vitale kind of way.
The best way to watch a Greenland game is from any seat near Barton, and because of limited space in the Tiger Dome, I sat in the stands right behind the Lady Pirates’ bench Friday night as they attempted to win their third 3A-1 West District Tournament championship in four years.
Being an inbound pass away from Barton, it was easy to hear him get on his players for their bad passes and defensive breakdowns against Cedarville. You know he’s frustrated when his voice cracks and his bottom lip quivers while yelling at his team from the sideline.
Barton could make a serial killer confess to everything with his “angry” voice. He can make his players cry, which he’s surely done over the years, but they also talk openly about loving to play for “Mr. B.”
Sitting in the stands, I couldn’t miss Barton’s passionate plea for his team to protect a late lead against Cedarville — those other Lady Pirates. He motivated his players, telling them Greenland has already built a tradition while Cedarville hopes to have one.
Barton clapped his hands to emphasis his point. He then watched as Greenland guards Anna Rogers and Kiana Thompson raced up and down the floor, attacking the basket and playing lockdown defense to hold on for a 46-35 win.
It was another trophy for Greenland to add to its growing collection over the past few years. And as usual, the animated coach was able to relax after shedding his suit coat and having a minute to sit. Occasional sips from his Sonic cup seem to help during games.
“They’ve been in situations like that,” Barton said, sitting in an empty office Friday night. “We’ve spent all year trying to get to .500, and you know, we’re finally at .500. Be it the teams that we’ve played have been brutal, we’ve finally made it to .500. We’re 13-13, that’s what I’m most proud of.”
It was a much-needed quiet moment for Barton. He’s so intense during games that former Maryland coach Gary Williams would likely tell him to call down. After all, it can’t be good for someone’s face to stay that red for an extended period of time.
But Barton can be reserved during a game. He admitted he wanted to show his players that he had confidence in them during last year’s Class 3A State Championship Game against Green Forest, so he was more subdued on the bench.
It was so unlike Barton that his wife thought something might be wrong. But it worked as Greenland cut down the nets and celebrated another state title following a 45-35 win over Green Forest in overtime.
“I did tell myself going into it that I could not be who I normally am, ripping and hollering, because they do get down on themselves and there wasn’t another game,” Barton said last year.
Greenland seems poised to make another deep postseason run. That means more chances to watch Barton yell, shake and try not to burst a vein in his neck. It’s easily the best in-game entertainment around.
Alex Abrams is the assistant sports editor for NWA Media.