By Hayden Swope

Asa Barnes, a basketball athlete from Wichita Southeast, was chosen as the Shelter Insurance Athlete of the Month. Last season, Barnes was named first team all-league and first team.

“It means a lot to be one of the athletes chosen for the magazine, being as though I grew up seeing the different high school athletes that were featured in the magazine,” Barnes said. “So it is definitely a blessing to have my name in that same space.”

To get ready for the season ahead, Barnes worked to stay healthy so he could be a leader for his team. 

“Preparing for the upcoming season I tried to focus on taking care of my body and just doing small things for maintenance, but my main focus is trying to take the next step as a leader in the program,” Barnes said. “I understand that I have been blessed to be one of the senior leaders on the team so I also understand that the younger guys in the program are looking up to us seniors just as I did when I was a freshman.”

While learning to fit into this new leadership role he has, Barnes also hopes to take his team all the way to the state championship game.

“Looking back at the past few years with Southeast basketball we haven’t made it out of sub state so as a team I feel going to state is a goal of ours,” Barnes said. “For me individually I just want to focus on trying to lead the best I can being an example for those coming up behind me all while trying to bring glory to God by doing the right things on and off the court.”

After high school, Barnes plans to attend a college to continue his studies.

“My plans in the future are to go to college and study marine biology,” Barnes said. “I haven’t  decided exactly what school I want to go to yet but I do plan on studying in this field to eventually become a micro or marine biologist.”