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Father Lopez High School (FL) shooting guard Dalton Barnes (and National Scouting Report prospect) had offers from as many as a dozen schools, including some Division I programs. But his longtime relationship with Embry-Riddle College coach Steve Ridder and the chance to play right away won out. The 6-foot-3 Barnes — who transferred from Spruce Creek (FL) to Lopez during the summer — has committed to play for the successful NAIA program.
“I didn’t really want to wait it out,” he said. “I’ve known (Ridder) since the sixth grade. I didn’t want to go to a big school and sit out the first couple of years not knowing if I was going to play. I knew (at ERAU) I would be one of the their main guys. Committing to Embry-Riddle has always been up there on my list, even though they’re not D-I and all of that, because they have the best coach.”
Barnes said he received scholarship offers from Penn, Stetson, Bethune-Cookman, ERAU, North Florida, Presbyterian, Georgia State, Louisiana-Lafayette, East Tennessee State, USC Upstate and Tennessee Martin. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds last winter in helping Spruce Creek to the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.
At Lopez, he and fellow recruits Matt Panaggio and Reed Ridder, son of Steve Ridder, are expected to give the Green Wave quite an attack in Class 3A this winter.
“I think it was a very good decision,” Father Lopez coach Eddie Miller said of Barnes’ college choice. “A lot of the schools he’s being recruited by are D-I, but they’re the low end of D-I. I think when he looked at that and what Embry-Riddle has to offer, I think all of the positives added up.”
In ERAU, Barnes has the opportunity to play at home in front of his family and also play for a program that won the 2000 NAIA national title and has 12 national tourney appearances and eight conference titles. Barnes’ commitment keeps the Green Wave’s pipeline to ERAU flowing. Past Green Wave stars Mike Farrell, Mike Pyle, Denver Cobb, Ryan Ridder and Billy and Brandon Serle all played college ball for the Eagles.
“I’ve known Steve a long time and know what he’s all about,” Miller said. “I think he trusts the kids are getting coached here at Lopez.”
Barnes’ commitment is non-binding until he is able to sign a national letter of intent in November. The Lopez guard said he will still listen to colleges, but it would take a unique situation to pull him off of his commitment.
“As of right now, it’s definitely Embry-Riddle,” Barnes said. “I’m still listening, but it’s going to be pretty tough for me to switch my mind up.”
Editor’s Note: This article was written by Buddy Shacklette (www.newsjournalonline.com)
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.