Barnes Takes Her Game to the Next Level, Signs with Enterprise State
By: Shelia Mader
Ya’Laysha Barnes has been part of Malone School since the second grade, and over the years she has grown into a standout student-athlete now preparing to take her game to the next level. A senior with a deep love for basketball, Barnes has spent the past seven years developing her skills on the court, along with a brief stint in softball. That dedication is paying off as she signs with Enterprise State Community College, just over an hour away, giving local fans the chance to continue watching her career.
A post player for Malone, Barnes has been a dominant force this season. She led her team in scoring with 14.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 52 percent from the field. She also controlled the boards with 7.6 rebounds per game, anchored the defense with 1.6 blocks per contest, and added to her all-around impact with 2.0 steals per game, second-best on the team. Her season totals tell the same story, finishing with a team-high 318 points, 168 rebounds, and 35 blocks, while also recording 43 steals.
Off the court, Barnes stays just as involved. She is active in chorus and participates in FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), balancing her academics and extracurriculars alongside her athletic commitments. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a career in sports medicine, staying connected to the game she loves.
When asked what she enjoys most about basketball, Barnes keeps it simple. She loves everything about it, especially the competition. That passion, along with the support system behind her, has helped shape her journey. She credits her mother, Sakina White, her father, Marquis Barnes, her grandparents Leo and Barbara Barnes, and Malone coach Bruce Jackson for helping her reach this milestone.
With her signing day behind her, her future set at Enterprise State, Barnes is not only continuing her basketball career but also representing the hard work, dedication, and community support that have been part of her story from the beginning.
